Modulation of packetized audio signals

ABSTRACT

Modulating packetized audio signals in a voice activated data packet based computer network environment is provided. A system can receive audio signals detected by a microphone of a device. The system can parse the audio signal to identify trigger keyword and request, and generate a first action data structure. The system can identify a content item object based on the trigger keyword, and generate an output signal comprising a first portion corresponding to the first action data structure and a second portion corresponding to the content item object. The system can apply a modulation to the first or second portion of the output signal, and transmit the modulated output signal to the device.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 as a continuation in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/447,718, filed Jun. 20, 2019, which claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 as a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/395,660, filed Dec. 30, 2016, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Excessive network transmissions, packet-based or otherwise, of network traffic data between computing devices can prevent a computing device from properly processing the network traffic data, completing an operation related to the network traffic data, or timely responding to the network traffic data. The excessive network transmissions of network traffic data can also complicate data routing or degrade the quality of the response if the responding computing device is at or above its processing capacity, which may result in inefficient bandwidth utilization. The control of network transmissions corresponding to content item objects can be complicated by the large number of content item objects that can initiate network transmissions of network traffic data between computing devices.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is generally directed to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of information transmission over one or more interfaces or one or more types of computer networks. For example, computing systems may have access to a limited number of interfaces, limited types of interfaces, or there may a limited number of available interfaces at a given time. It may be challenging for a system to efficiently transmit information in response to the currently available interfaces because certain types of interfaces may consume greater computing resources or battery.

Systems and methods of the present disclosure are generally directed to a data processing system that dynamically modulates output audio based on the context of a communication session. The data processing system can modulate the tone, frequency, center frequency, and amplitude, apply a watermark, overlay, or otherwise modulate or adjust a portion of the output audio in order to indicate the context or type of the portion of the output audio. The data processing system can use a first audio modulation for a first portion of the output audio signal, and a second audio modulation for a second portion of the audio signal based on the context for the second portion being different than the first portion. For example, the second portion can include audio corresponding to a content item provided by a third party content provider and selected by the data processing system during a real-time selection process.

At least one aspect is directed to a system to perform dynamic modulation of packetized audio signals. The system can include a natural language processor component, interface, direct action application programming interface, content selector, and audio signal generator component executed by a data processing system. The natural language processor component can receive, via the interface, data packets comprising an input audio signal detected by a sensor of a client device. The natural language processor component can parse the input audio signal to identify a request and a trigger keyword corresponding to the request. The direct action application programming interface can generate, based on the trigger keyword, a first action data structure responsive to the request. The content selector component can receive the trigger keyword identified by the natural language processor and select, based on the trigger keyword, a content item via a real-time content selection process. The audio signal generator component can generate an output signal that includes a first portion corresponding to the first action data structure and generated with a first audio modulation, and includes a second portion corresponding to the content item and generated with a second audio modulation different from the first audio modulation. The interface of the data processing system can transmit data packets comprising the output signal generated by the audio signal generator component. The interface can transmit the data packets to cause an audio driver component executed by the client device to drive a speaker of the client device to generate an acoustic wave corresponding to the output signal.

At least one aspect is directed to a method of performing dynamic modulation of packetized audio signals. The method can include a natural language processor component executed by a data processing system receiving, via an interface of the data processing system, data packets comprising an input audio signal detected by a sensor of a client device. The method can include the natural language processor component parsing the input audio signal to identify a request and a trigger keyword corresponding to the request. The method can include a direct action application programming interface of the data processing system generating, based on the trigger keyword, a first action data structure responsive to the request. The method can include a content selector component executed by the data processing system receiving the trigger keyword identified by the natural language processor. The method can include the content selector component selecting, based on the trigger keyword, a content item via a real-time content selection process. The method can include an audio signal generator component executed by the data processing system generating an output signal comprising a first portion corresponding to the first action data structure and generated with a first audio modulation, and a second portion corresponding to the content item and generated with a second audio modulation different from the first audio modulation. The method can include the interface of the data processing system transmitting data packets comprising the output signal generated by the audio signal generator component to cause an audio driver component executed by the client device to drive a speaker of the client device to generate an acoustic wave corresponding to the output signal.

At least one aspect is directed to a system to modulate packetized audio signals. The system can include a data processing system having one or more processors. The data processing system can receive, via an interface of the data processing system, data packets comprising an input audio signal detected by a sensor of a client device. The data processing system can parse the input audio signal to identify a request. The data processing system can identify, based on the request, a content item associated with a third party provider device or the client device. The data processing system can determine a type of the content item. The data processing system can select, based on the type of the content item, a first audio modulation to apply to an output signal corresponding to the content item. The first audio modulation can be different from a default audio modulation. The data processing system can generate the output signal with the first audio modulation. The data processing system can transmit data packets comprising the output signal to cause an audio driver component executed by the client device to drive a speaker of the client device to generate an acoustic wave corresponding to the output signal generated with the first audio modulation.

At least one aspect is directed to a method of modulating packetized audio signals. The method can be performed by one or more processors. The one or more processors can receive, via an interface, data packets comprising an input audio signal detected by a sensor of a client device. The one or more processors can parse the input audio signal to identify a request. The one or more processors can identify, based on the request, a content item associated with a third party provider device or the client device. The one or more processors can determine a type of the content item. The one or more processors can select, based on the type of the content item, a first audio modulation to apply to an output signal corresponding to the content item. The first audio modulation can be different from a default audio modulation. The one or more processors can generate the output signal with the first audio modulation. The one or more processors can transmit data packets comprising the output signal to cause an audio driver component executed by the client device to drive a speaker of the client device to generate an acoustic wave corresponding to the output signal generated with the first audio modulation.

These and other aspects and implementations are discussed in detail below. The foregoing information and the following detailed description include illustrative examples of various aspects and implementations, and provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the claimed aspects and implementations. The drawings provide illustration and a further understanding of the various aspects and implementations, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every drawing. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a system to modulate packetized audio signals.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of an operation of a system to modulate packetized audio signals.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of an operation of a system to modulate packetized audio signals.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a method of performing dynamic modulation of packetized audio signals, in accordance with an implementation.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a flow chart for dynamically modulating packetized audio signals, in accordance with an implementation.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a flow chart for executing digital actions, in accordance with an implementation.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a general architecture for a computer system that can be employed to implement elements of the systems and methods described and illustrated herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Following below are more detailed descriptions of various concepts related to, and implementations of, methods, apparatuses, and systems of modulating packetized audio signals. The various concepts introduced above and discussed in greater detail below may be implemented in any of numerous ways.

The present disclosure is generally directed a data processing system for performing dynamic modulation of packetized audio signals. The data processing system can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of information transmission over one or more interfaces or one or more types of computer networks. For example, computing systems may have access to a limited number of interfaces, limited types of interfaces, or there may a limited number of available interfaces at a given time. It may be challenging for a system to efficiently transmit information in response to the currently available interfaces because certain types of interfaces may consume greater computing resources or battery.

For example, content in an output audio signal may contain, or be associated with, a digital action. A digital action can include, for example, providing expandable content, executing a hyperlink to access additional content, executing a command to launch an application or perform one or more tasks associated with the application. The content can include a term, keyword, or phrase. The output audio signal can include, for example, a sentence in which a word in the sentence corresponds to the content item associated with the digital action. However, if the content item associated with the digital action occurs in a beginning portion of the output signal, a data processing system may not receive or process a request to execute the digital action until the output audio signal has been completely presented and output. Further, a data processing system may indicate, subsequent to presentation of the output signal, that there is a digital action associated with the content item using a second output signal. Thus, the data processing system may consume excessive or unnecessary computing resources by waiting until the output signal has been completely presented and then transmitting a second output signal indicating that a digital action is available for a content item.

Systems and methods of the present disclosure are generally directed to a data processing system that dynamically modulates output audio based on the context of a communication session. The data processing system can modulate the tone, frequency, center frequency, and amplitude, apply a watermark, overlay, or otherwise modulate or adjust a portion of the output audio in order to indicate the context or type of the portion of the output audio. The data processing system can use a first audio modulation for a first portion of the output audio signal, and a second audio modulation for a second portion of the audio signal based on the context for the second portion being different than the first portion. For example, the second portion can include audio corresponding to a content item provided by a third party content provider and selected by the data processing system during a real-time selection process.

The present solution can reduce resource consumption, processor utilization, battery consumption, bandwidth utilization, size of an audio file, or amount of time consumed by a speaker by modulating a portion of an output audio file to provide an indication. In some cases, the data processing system can modulate the portion of the audio file instead of appending an additional audio content to the audio file. By modulating the portion of the audio file, the data processing system can reduce resource consumption by providing fewer data transmissions or generating fewer audio signals as compared to providing a separate indication appended to the audio file or provided in a separate manner.

For example, the data processing system can receive an input audio signal “where is the capital of Germany?” The data processing system can output, via a digital assistant in a male voice “the capital city of Germany is Berlin, which has a population of . . . ” where the term ‘Berlin’ is presented with an audio modulation different from the remainder of the output signal to indicate that a digital action is associated with the term ‘Berlin’. The data processing system can then receive an indication to execute the digital action associated with the term ‘Berlin’, such as a second input audio signal containing the term “Berlin.” The data processing system can receive the indication prior to completion of the output signal, such as mid-sentence after the word “of” in the output signal. The data processing system can execute the digital action associated with ‘Berlin’ responsive to the indication, which can be received mid-sentence. By indicating a term is associated with a digital action, and executing the digital action mid-output, the data processing system can reduce delay and latency associated with executing digital actions, as well as reduce computing resource consumption by not having to complete output of the output signal.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example system 100 to perform dynamic modulation of packetized audio signals. The system 100 can include content selection infrastructure. The system 100 can include a data processing system 102. The data processing system 102 can communicate with one or more of a content provider computing device 106, service provider computing device 108, or client computing device 104 via a network 105. The network 105 can include computer networks such as the Internet, local, wide, metro, or other area networks, intranets, satellite networks, and other communication networks such as voice or data mobile telephone networks. The network 105 can be used to access information resources such as web pages, web sites, domain names, or uniform resource locators that can be presented, output, rendered, or displayed on at least one computing device 104, such as a laptop, desktop, tablet, personal digital assistant, smart phone, portable computers, or speaker. For example, via the network 105 a user of the computing device 104 can access information or data provided by a service provider 108 or content provider 106. The computing device 104 may or may not include a display; for example, the computing device may include limited types of user interfaces, such as a microphone and speaker. In some cases, the primary user interface of the computing device 104 may be a microphone and speaker.

The network 105 can include or constitute a display network, e.g., a subset of information resources available on the internet that are associated with a content placement or search engine results system, or that are eligible to include third party content items as part of a content item placement campaign. The network 105 can be used by the data processing system 102 to access information resources such as web pages, web sites, domain names, or uniform resource locators that can be presented, output, rendered, or displayed by the client computing device 104. For example, via the network 105 a user of the client computing device 104 can access information or data provided by the content provider computing device 106 or the service provider computing device 108.

The network 105 may be any type or form of network and may include any of the following: a point-to-point network, a broadcast network, a wide area network, a local area network, a telecommunications network, a data communication network, a computer network, an ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) network, a SONET (Synchronous Optical Network) network, a SDH (Synchronous Digital Hierarchy) network, a wireless network and a wireline network. The network 105 may include a wireless link, such as an infrared channel or satellite band. The topology of the network 105 may include a bus, star, or ring network topology. The network may include mobile telephone networks using any protocol or protocols used to communicate among mobile devices, including advanced mobile phone protocol (“AMPS”), time division multiple access (“TDMA”), code-division multiple access (“CDMA”), global system for mobile communication (“GSM”), general packet radio services (“GPRS”) or universal mobile telecommunications system (“UMTS”). Different types of data may be transmitted via different protocols, or the same types of data may be transmitted via different protocols.

The system 100 can include at least one data processing system 102. The data processing system 102 can include at least one logic device such as a computing device having a processor to communicate via the network 105, for example with the computing device 104, the content provider device 106 (content provider 106), or the service provider device 108 (or service provider 108). The data processing system 102 can include at least one computation resource, server, processor or memory. For example, the data processing system 102 can include a plurality of computation resources or servers located in at least one data center. The data processing system 102 can include multiple, logically-grouped servers and facilitate distributed computing techniques. The logical group of servers may be referred to as a data center, server farm or a machine farm. The servers can also be geographically dispersed. A data center or machine farm may be administered as a single entity, or the machine farm can include a plurality of machine farms. The servers within each machine farm can be heterogeneous—one or more of the servers or machines can operate according to one or more type of operating system platform.

Servers in the machine farm can be stored in high-density rack systems, along with associated storage systems, and located in an enterprise data center. For example, consolidating the servers in this way may improve system manageability, data security, the physical security of the system, and system performance by locating servers and high performance storage systems on localized high performance networks. Centralization of all or some of the data processing system 102 components, including servers and storage systems, and coupling them with advanced system management tools allows more efficient use of server resources, which saves power and processing requirements and reduces bandwidth usage.

The system 100 can include, access, or otherwise interact with at least one service provider device 108. The service provider device 108 can include at least one logic device such as a computing device having a processor to communicate via the network 105, for example with the computing device 104, the data processing system 102, or the content provider 106. The service provider device 108 can include at least one computation resource, server, processor or memory. For example, service provider device 108 can include a plurality of computation resources or servers located in at least one data center. The service provider device 108 can include one or more component or functionality of the data processing system 102.

The content provider computing device 106 can provide audio based content items for display by the client computing device 104 as an audio output content item. The content item can include an offer for a good or service, such as a voice based message that states: “Would you like me to order you a taxi?” For example, the content provider computing device 106 can include memory to store a series of audio content items that can be provided in response to a voice based query. The content provider computing device 106 can also provide audio based content items (or other content items) to the data processing system 102 where they can be stored in the data repository 124. The data processing system 102 can select the audio content items and provide (or instruct the content provider computing device 106 to provide) the audio content items to the client computing device 104. The audio based content items can be exclusively audio or can be combined with text, image, or video data.

The service provider device 108 can include, interface, or otherwise communicate with at least one service provider natural language processor component 142 and a service provider interface 144. The service provider computing device 108 can include at least one service provider natural language processor (NLP) component 142 and at least one service provider interface 144. The service provider NLP component 142 (or other components such as a direct action API of the service provider computing device 108) can engage with the client computing device 104 (via the data processing system 102 or bypassing the data processing system 102) to create a back-and-forth real-time voice or audio based conversation (e.g., a session) between the client computing device 104 and the service provider computing device 108. The service provider NLP 142 can include one or more function or feature as the NLP component 112 of the data processing system 102. For example, the service provider interface 144 can receive or provide data messages to the direct action API 116 of the data processing system 102. The service provider computing device 108 and the content provider computing device 106 can be associated with the same entity. For example, the content provider computing device 106 can create, store, or make available content items for a car sharing service, and the service provider computing device 108 can establish a session with the client computing device 104 to arrange for a delivery of a taxi or car of the car share service to pick up the end user of the client computing device 104. The data processing system 102, via the direct action API 116, the NLP component 112 or other components can also establish the session with the client computing device, including or bypassing the service provider computing device 108, to arrange for example for a delivery of a taxi or car of the car share service.

The computing device 104 can include, interface, or otherwise communicate with at least one sensor 134, transducer 136, audio driver 138, or pre-processor 140. The sensor 134 can include, for example, an ambient light sensor, proximity sensor, temperature sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, motion detector, GPS sensor, location sensor, microphone, or touch sensor. The transducer 136 can include a speaker or a microphone. The audio driver 138 can provide a software interface to the hardware transducer 136. The audio driver can execute the audio file or other instructions provided by the data processing system 102 to control the transducer 136 to generate a corresponding acoustic wave or sound wave. The pre-processor 140 can be configured to detect a keyword and perform an action based on the keyword. The pre-processor 140 can filter out one or more terms or modify the terms prior to transmitting the terms to the data processing system 102 for further processing. The pre-processor 140 can convert the analog audio signals detected by the microphone into a digital audio signal, and transmit one or more data packets carrying the digital audio signal to the data processing system 102 via the network 105. In some cases, the pre-processor 140 can transmit data packets carrying some or all of the input audio signal responsive to detecting an instruction to perform such transmission. The instruction can include, for example, a trigger keyword or other keyword or approval to transmit data packets comprising the input audio signal to the data processing system 102.

The client computing device 104 can be associated with an end user that enters voice queries as audio input into the client computing device 104 (via the sensor 134) and receives audio output in the form of a computer generated voice that can be provided from the data processing system 102 (or the content provider computing device 106 or the service provider computing device 108) to the client computing device 104, output from the transducer 136 (e.g., a speaker). The computer generated voice can include recordings from a real person or computer generated language.

The data repository 124 can include one or more local or distributed databases, and can include a database management system. The data repository 124 can include computer data storage or memory and can store one or more parameters 126, one or more policies 128, content data 130, or templates 132 among other data. The parameters 126, policies 128, and templates 132 can include information such as rules about a voice based session between the client computing device 104 and the data processing system 102 (or the service provider computing device 108). The content data 130 can include content items for audio output or associated metadata, as well as input audio messages that can be part of one or more communication sessions with the client computing device 104.

The data processing system 102 can include a content placement system having at least one computation resource or server. The data processing system 102 can include, interface, or otherwise communicate with at least one interface 110. The data processing system 102 can include, interface, or otherwise communicate with at least one natural language processor component 112. The data processing system 102 can include, interface, or otherwise communicate with at least one session handler 114. The data processing system 102 can include, interface, or otherwise communicate with at least one direct action application programming interface (“API”) 116. The data processing system 102 can include, interface, or otherwise communicate with at least one content selector component 118. The data processing system 102 can include, interface, or otherwise communicate with at least one policy engine 120. The data processing system 102 can include, interface, or otherwise communicate with at least one audio signal generator 122. The data processing system 102 can include, interface, or otherwise communicate with at least one data repository 124. The at least one data repository 124 can include or store, in one or more data structures or databases, parameters 126, policies 128, content data 130, or templates 132. Parameters 126 can include, for example, thresholds, distances, time intervals, durations, scores, or weights. Content data 130 can include, for example, content campaign information, content groups, content selection criteria, content item objects or other information provided by a content provider 106 or obtained or determined by the data processing system to facilitate content selection. The content data 130 can include, for example, historical performance of a content campaign.

The content data 130 can include or indicate digital action. The content data 130 can include an association or mapping of content items to digital actions. The content data 130 can include, for example, an identifier of a content item associated with a reference, pointer, hyperlink, command, flag or instruction indicating a digital action. The digital action can refer to or include availability of additional content associated with the content item, an application associated with the content item, an electronic task associated with the content item, or other action that can be performed via the computing device 104, data processing system 102, content provider device 106, or service provider device 108 for the content item.

For example, the content data 130 can indicate a content item is associated with a digital action that indicates that the content item is expandable. Expandable content can refer to additional content associated with the content item being hidden initially, or otherwise not presented, until a request for the additional content. The additional content, or hidden content, can be stored in content data 130 and retrieved responsive to a request for the additional content.

The interface 110, natural language processor component 112, session handler 114, direct action API 116, content selector component 118, policy engine 120, or audio signal generator component 122 can each include at least one processing unit or other logic device such as programmable logic array engine, or module configured to communicate with the database repository or database 124. The interface 110, natural language processor component 112, session handler 114, direct action API 116, content selector component 118, policy engine 120, audio signal generator component 122 and data repository 124 can be separate components, a single component, or part of the data processing system 102. The system 100 and its components, such as a data processing system 102, can include hardware elements, such as one or more processors, logic devices, or circuits.

The data processing system 102 can obtain anonymous computer network activity information associated with a plurality of computing devices 104. A user of a computing device 104 can affirmatively authorize the data processing system 102 to obtain network activity information corresponding to the user's computing device 104. For example, the data processing system 102 can prompt the user of the computing device 104 for consent to obtain one or more types of network activity information. The identity of the user of the computing device 104 can remain anonymous and the computing device 104 can be associated with a unique identifier (e.g., a unique identifier for the user or the computing device provided by the data processing system or a user of the computing device). The data processing system can associate each observation with a corresponding unique identifier.

A content provider 106 can establish an electronic content campaign. The electronic content campaign can be stored as content data 130 in data repository 124. An electronic content campaign can refer to one or more content groups that correspond to a common theme. A content campaign can include a hierarchical data structure that includes content groups, content item data objects, and content selection criteria. To create a content campaign, content provider 106 can specify values for campaign level parameters of the content campaign. The campaign level parameters can include, for example, a campaign name, a preferred content network for placing content item objects, a value of resources to be used for the content campaign, start and end dates for the content campaign, a duration for the content campaign, a schedule for content item object placements, language, geographical locations, type of computing devices on which to provide content item objects. In some cases, an impression can refer to when a content item object is fetched from its source (e.g., data processing system 102 or content provider 106), and is countable. In some cases, due to the possibility of click fraud, robotic activity can be filtered and excluded, as an impression. Thus, in some cases, an impression can refer to a measurement of responses from a Web server to a page request from a browser, which is filtered from robotic activity and error codes, and is recorded at a point as close as possible to opportunity to render the content item object for display on the computing device 104. In some cases, an impression can refer to a viewable or audible impression; e.g., the content item object is at least partially (e.g., 20%, 30%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, or more) viewable on a display device of the client computing device 104, or audible via a speaker 136 of the computing device 104. A click or selection can refer to a user interaction with the content item object, such as a voice response to an audible impression, a mouse-click, touch interaction, gesture, shake, audio interaction, or keyboard click. A conversion can refer to a user taking a desired action with respect to the content item objection; e.g., purchasing a product or service, completing a survey, visiting a physical store corresponding to the content item, or completing an electronic transaction.

The content provider 106 can further establish one or more content groups for a content campaign. A content group includes one or more content item objects and corresponding content selection criteria, such as keywords, words, terms, phrases, geographic locations, type of computing device, time of day, interest, topic, or vertical. Content groups under the same content campaign can share the same campaign level parameters, but may have tailored specifications for particular content group level parameters, such as keywords, negative keywords (e.g., that block placement of the content item in the presence of the negative keyword on main content), bids for keywords, or parameters associated with the bid or content campaign.

To create a new content group, the content provider can provide values for the content group level parameters of the content group. The content group level parameters include, for example, a content group name or content group theme, and bids for different content placement opportunities (e.g., automatic placement or managed placement) or outcomes (e.g., clicks, impressions, or conversions). A content group name or content group theme can be one or more terms that the content provider 106 can use to capture a topic or subject matter for which content item objects of the content group is to be selected for display. For example, a car dealership can create a different content group for each brand of vehicle it carries, and may further create a different content group for each model of vehicle it carries. Examples of the content group themes that the car dealership can use include, for example, “Make A sports car” “Make B sports car,” “Make C sedan,” “Make C truck,” “Make C hybrid,” or “Make D hybrid.” An example content campaign theme can be “hybrid” and include content groups for both “Make C hybrid” and “Make D hybrid”, for example.

The content provider 106 can provide one or more keywords and content item objects to each content group. Keywords can include terms that are relevant to the product or services of associated with or identified by the content item objects. A keyword can include one or more terms or phrases. For example, the car dealership can include “sports car,” “V-6 engine,” “four-wheel drive,” “fuel efficiency,” as keywords for a content group or content campaign. In some cases, negative keywords can be specified by the content provider to avoid, prevent, block, or disable content placement on certain terms or keywords. The content provider can specify a type of matching, such as exact match, phrase match, or broad match, used to select content item objects.

The content provider 106 can provide one or more keywords to be used by the data processing system 102 to select a content item object provided by the content provider 106. The content provider 106 can identify one or more keywords to bid on, and further provide bid amounts for various keywords. The content provider 106 can provide additional content selection criteria to be used by the data processing system 102 to select content item objects. Multiple content providers 106 can bid on the same or different keywords, and the data processing system 102 can run a content selection process or ad auction responsive to receiving an indication of a keyword of an electronic message.

The content provider 106 can provide one or more content item objects for selection by the data processing system 102. The data processing system 102 (e.g., via content selector component 118) can select the content item objects when a content placement opportunity becomes available that matches the resource allocation, content schedule, maximum bids, keywords, and other selection criteria specified for the content group. Different types of content item objects can be included in a content group, such as a voice content item, audio content item, a text content item, an image content item, video content item, multimedia content item, or content item link. The data processing system 102 can select the content item based on a request in an input audio signal. The request can include keywords, which the data processing system 102 can use to select a content item. Upon selecting a content item, the data processing system 102 can transmit the content item object for rendering on a computing device 104 or display device of the computing device 104. Rendering can include displaying the content item on a display device, or playing the content item via a speaker of the computing device 104. The data processing system 102 can provide instructions to a computing device 104 to render the content item object. The data processing system 102 can instruct the computing device 104, or an audio driver 138 of the computing device 104, to generate audio signals or acoustic waves.

The content item can be provided by a third-party provider device, such as a content provider device 106. The content item can be retrieved from a local client device, such as computing device 104. The content item can be retrieved from data repository 124 of data processing system 102. The content item can include, for example, a calendar entry or meeting event stored in an electronic account or profile associated with the computing device 104. The calendar entry can be stored on the computing device 104. The calendar entry can be stored in data processing system 102.

The data processing system 102 can include an interface component 110 designed, configured, constructed, or operational to receive and transmit information using, for example, data packets. The interface 110 can receive and transmit information using one or more protocols, such as a network protocol. The interface 110 can include a hardware interface, software interface, wired interface, or wireless interface. The interface 110 can facilitate translating or formatting data from one format to another format. For example, the interface 110 can include an application programming interface that includes definitions for communicating between various components, such as software components.

The data processing system 102 can include an application, script or program installed at the client computing device 104, such as an app to communicate input audio signals to the interface 110 of the data processing system 102 and to drive components of the client computing device to render output audio signals. The data processing system 102 can receive data packets or other signal that includes or identifies an audio input signal. For example, the data processing system 102 can execute or run the NLP component 112 to receive or obtain the audio signal and parse the audio signal. For example, the NLP component 112 can provide for interactions between a human and a computer. The NLP component 112 can be configured with techniques for understanding natural language and allowing the data processing system 102 to derive meaning from human or natural language input. The NLP component 112 can include or be configured with technique based on machine learning, such as statistical machine learning. The NLP component 112 can utilize decision trees, statistical models, or probabilistic models to parse the input audio signal. The NLP component 112 can perform, for example, functions such as named entity recognition (e.g., given a stream of text, determine which items in the text map to proper names, such as people or places, and what the type of each such name is, such as person, location, or organization), natural language generation (e.g., convert information from computer databases or semantic intents into understandable human language), natural language understanding (e.g., convert text into more formal representations such as first-order logic structures that a computer module can manipulate), machine translation (e.g., automatically translate text from one human language to another), morphological segmentation (e.g., separating words into individual morphemes and identify the class of the morphemes, which can be challenging based on the complexity of the morphology or structure of the words of the language being considered), question answering (e.g., determining an answer to a human-language question, which can be specific or open-ended), semantic processing (e.g., processing that can occur after identifying a word and encoding its meaning in order to relate the identified word to other words with similar meanings).

The NLP component 112 converts the audio input signal into recognized text by comparing the input signal against a stored, representative set of audio waveforms (e.g., in the data repository 124) and choosing the closest matches. The set of audio waveforms can be stored in data repository 124 or other database accessible to the data processing system 102. The representative waveforms are generated across a large set of users, and then may be augmented with speech samples from the user. After the audio signal is converted into recognized text, the NLP component 112 matches the text to words that are associated, for example via training across users or through manual specification, with actions that the data processing system 102 can serve.

The audio input signal can be detected by the sensor 134 or transducer 136 (e.g., a microphone) of the client computing device 104. Via the transducer 136, the audio driver 138, or other components the client computing device 104 can provide the audio input signal to the data processing system 102 (e.g., via the network 105) where it can be received (e.g., by the interface 110) and provided to the NLP component 112 or stored in the data repository 124.

The NLP component 112 can obtain the input audio signal. From the input audio signal, the NLP component 112 can identify at least one request or at least one trigger keyword corresponding to the request. The request can indicate intent or subject matter of the input audio signal. The trigger keyword can indicate a type of action likely to be taken. For example, the NLP component 112 can parse the input audio signal to identify at least one request to leave home for the evening to attend dinner and a movie. The trigger keyword can include at least one word, phrase, root or partial word, or derivative indicating an action to be taken. For example, the trigger keyword “go” or “to go to” from the input audio signal can indicate a need for transport. In this example, the input audio signal (or the identified request) does not directly express an intent for transport, however the trigger keyword indicates that transport is an ancillary action to at least one other action that is indicated by the request.

The NLP component 112 can parse the input audio signal to identify, determine, retrieve, or otherwise obtain the request and the trigger keyword. For instance, the NLP component 112 can apply a semantic processing technique to the input audio signal to identify the trigger keyword or the request. The NLP component 112 can apply the semantic processing technique to the input audio signal to identify a trigger phrase that includes one or more trigger keywords, such as a first trigger keyword and a second trigger keyword. For example, the input audio signal can include the sentence “I need someone to do my laundry and my dry cleaning.” The NLP component 112 can apply a semantic processing technique, or other natural language processing technique, to the data packets comprising the sentence to identify trigger phrases “do my laundry” and “do my dry cleaning”. The NLP component 112 can further identify multiple trigger keywords, such as laundry, and dry cleaning. For example, the NLP component 112 can determine that the trigger phrase includes the trigger keyword and a second trigger keyword.

The NLP component 112 can filter the input audio signal to identify the trigger keyword. For example, the data packets carrying the input audio signal can include “It would be great if I could get someone that could help me go to the airport”, in which case the NLP component 112 can filter out one or more terms as follows: “it”, “would”, “be”, “great”, “if”, “I”, “could”, “get”, “someone”, “that”, “could”, or “help”. By filtering out these terms, the NLP component 112 may more accurately and reliably identify the trigger keywords, such as “go to the airport” and determine that this is a request for a taxi or a ride sharing service.

In some cases, the NLP component can determine that the data packets carrying the input audio signal includes one or more requests. For example, the input audio signal can include the sentence “I need someone to do my laundry and my dry cleaning.” The NLP component 112 can determine this is a request for a laundry service and a dry cleaning service. The NLP component 112 can determine this is a single request for a service provider that can provide both laundry services and dry cleaning services. The NLP component 112 can determine that this is two requests; a first request for a service provider that performs laundry services, and a second request for a service provider that provides dry cleaning services. In some cases, the NLP component 112 can combine the multiple determined requests into a single request, and transmit the single request to a service provider device 108. In some cases, the NLP component 112 can transmit the individual requests to respective service provider devices 108, or separately transmit both requests to the same service provider device 108.

The data processing system 102 can include a direct action API 116 designed and constructed to generate, based on the trigger keyword, a first action data structure responsive to the request. Processors of the data processing system 102 can invoke the direct action API 116 to execute scripts that generate a data structure to a service provider device 108 to request or order a service or product, such as a car from a car share service. The direct action API 116 can obtain data from the data repository 124, as well as data received with end user consent from the client computing device 104 to determine location, time, user accounts, logistical or other information to allow the service provider device 108 to perform an operation, such as reserve a car from the car share service. Using the direct action API 116, the data processing system 102 can also communicate with the service provider device 108 to complete the conversion by in this example making the car share pick up reservation.

The direct action API 116 can receive an instruction or command from the NLP component 112, or other component of the data processing system 102, to generate or construct the first action data structure. The direct action API 116 can determine a type of action in order to select a template from the template repository 132 stored in the data repository 124. Types of actions can include, for example, services, products, reservations, or tickets. Types of actions can further include types of services or products. For example, types of services can include car share service, food delivery service, laundry service, maid service, repair services, or household services. Types of products can include, for example, clothes, shoes, toys, electronics, computers, books, or jewelry. Types of reservations can include, for example, dinner reservations or hair salon appointments. Types of tickets can include, for example, movie tickets, sports venue tickets, or flight tickets. In some cases, the types of services, products, reservations or tickets can be categorized based on price, location, type of shipping, availability, or other attributes.

The direct action API 116 can execute a specified action to satisfy the end user's intention, as determined by the data processing system 102. Depending on the action specified in its inputs, the direct action API 116 can execute code or a dialog script that identifies the parameters required to fulfill a user request. Such code can look-up additional information, e.g., in the data repository 124, such as the name of a home automation service, or it can provide audio output for rendering at the client computing device 104 to ask the end user questions such as the intended destination of a requested taxi. The direct action API 116 can determine necessary parameters and can package the information into an action data structure, which can then be sent to another component such as the content selector component 118 or to the service provider computing device 108 to be fulfilled.

The direct action API 116, upon identifying the type of request, can access the corresponding template from the template repository 132. Templates can include fields in a structured data set that can be populated by the direct action API 116 to further the operation that is requested of the service provider device 108 (such as the operation of sending a taxi to pick up an end user at a pickup location and transport the end user to a destination location). The fields can be populated with numerical values, character strings, Unicode values, Boolean logic, binary values, hexadecimal values, identifiers, location coordinates, geographic areas, timestamps, or other values. The fields or the data structure itself can be encrypted or masked to maintain data security.

The direct action API 116 can perform a look-up or other query operation on the template repository 132 to select the template that matches one or more characteristic of the trigger keyword and request. For example, if the request corresponds to a request for a car or ride to a destination, the data processing system 102 can select a car sharing service template. The car sharing service template can include one or more of the following fields: device identifier, pick up location, destination location, number of passengers, or type of service. The direct action API 116 can populate the fields with values. To populate the fields with values, the direct action API 116 can ping, poll or otherwise obtain information from one or more sensors 134 of the computing device 104 or a user interface of the device 104. For example, the direct action API 116 can detect the source location using a location sensor, such as a GPS sensor. The direct action API 116 can obtain further information by submitting a survey, prompt, or query to the end of user of the computing device 104. The direct action API can submit the survey, prompt, or query via interface 110 of the data processing system 102 and a user interface of the computing device 104 (e.g., audio interface, voice-based user interface, display, or touch screen). Thus, the direct action API 116 can select a template for the first action data structure based on the trigger keyword or the request, populate one or more fields in the template with information detected by one or more sensors 134 or obtained via a user interface, and generate, create or otherwise construct the first action data structure to facilitate performance of an operation by the service provider device 108.

The data processing system 102 can include, execute, or otherwise communicate with a content selector component 118 to receive the trigger keyword identified by the natural language processor and select, based on the trigger keyword, a content item via a real-time content selection process. The content selection process can refer to, or include, selecting sponsored content item objects provided by third party content providers 106. The real-time content selection process can include a service in which content items provided by multiple content providers are parsed, processed, weighted, or matched in order to select one or more content items to provide to the computing device 104. The content selector component 118 can perform the content selection process in real-time. Performing the content selection process in real-time can refer to performing the content selection process responsive to the request for content received via the client computing device 104. The real-time content selection process can be performed (e.g., initiated or completed) within a time interval of receiving the request (e.g., 5 seconds, 10 seconds, 20 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute, 2 minutes, 3 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, or 20 minutes). The real-time content selection process can be performed during a communication session with the client computing device 104, or within a time interval after the communication session is terminated.

For example, the data processing system 102 can include a content selector component 118 designed, constructed, configured or operational to select content item objects. To select content items for display in a voice-based environment, the data processing system 102 (e.g., via NLP component 112) can parse the input audio signal to identify keywords (e.g., a trigger keyword), and use the keywords to select a matching content item based on a broad match, exact match, or phrase match. For example, the content selector component 118 can analyze, parse, or otherwise process subject matter of candidate content items to determine whether the subject matter of the candidate content items correspond to the subject matter of the keywords or phrases of the input audio signal detected by the microphone of the client computing device 104. The content selector component 118 may identify, analyze, or recognize voice, audio, terms, characters, text, symbols, or images of the candidate content items using an image processing technique, character recognition technique, natural language processing technique, or database lookup. The candidate content items may include metadata indicative of the subject matter of the candidate content items, in which case the content selector component 118 may process the metadata to determine whether the subject matter of the candidate content item corresponds to the input audio signal.

Content providers 106 may provide additional indicators when setting up a content campaign that includes content items. The content provider may provide information at the content campaign or content group level that the content selector component 118 may identify by performing a lookup using information about the candidate content item. For example, the candidate content item may include a unique identifier, which may map to a content group, content campaign, or content provider. The content selector component 118 may determine, based on information stored in content campaign data structure in data repository 124, information about the content provider 106.

The data processing system 102 can receive, via a computer network, a request for content for presentation on a computing device 104. The data processing system 102 can identify the request by processing an input audio signal detected by a microphone of the client computing device 104. The request can include selection criteria of the request, such as the device type, location, and a keyword associated with the request.

Responsive to the request, the data processing system 102 can select a content item object from data repository 124 or a database associated with the content provider 106, and provide the content item for presentation via the computing device 104 via network 105. The computing device 104 can interact with the content item object. The computing device 104 can receive an audio response to the content item. The computing device 104 can receive an indication to select a hyperlink or other button associated with the content item object that causes or allows the computing device 104 to identify service provider 108, request a service from the service provider 108, instruct the service provider 108 to perform a service, transmit information to the service provider 108, or otherwise query the service provider device 108.

The data processing system 102 can include, execute, or communicate with an audio signal generator component 122 to generate an output signal. The output signal can include one or more portions. For example, the output signal can include a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the output signal can correspond to the first action data structure. The second portion of the output signal can correspond to the content item selected by the content selector component 118 during the real-time content selection process.

The audio signal generator component 122 can generate the output signal with a first portion having sound corresponding to the first data structure. For example, the audio signal generator component 122 can generate the first portion of the output signal based on one or more values populated into the fields of the first action data structure by the direct action API 116. In a taxi service example, the values for the fields can include, for example, 123 Main Street for pick-up location, 1234 Main Street for destination location, 2 for number of passengers, and economy for the level of service. The audio signal generator component 122 can generate the first portion of the output signal in order to confirm that the end user of the computing device 104 wants to proceed with transmitting the request to the service provider 108. The first portion can include the following output “Would you like to order an economy car from taxi service provider A to pick two people up at 123 Main Street and drop off at 1234 Main Street?”

In some cases, the first portion can include information received from the service provider device 108. The information received from service provider device 108 can be customized or tailored for the first action data structure. For example, the data processing system 102 (e.g., via direct action API 116) can transmit the first action data structure to the service provider 108 before instructing the service provider 108 to perform the operation. Instead, the data processing system 102 can instruct the service provider device 108 to perform initial or preliminary processing on the first action data structure to generate preliminary information about the operation. In the example of the taxi service, the preliminary processing on the first action data structure can include identifying available taxis that meet the level of service requirement that are located around the pick-up location, estimating an amount of time for the nearest available taxi to reach the pick-up location, estimating a time of arrival at the destination, and estimating a price for the taxi service. The estimated preliminary values may include a fixed value, an estimate that is subject to change based on various conditions, or a range of values. The service provider device 108 can return the preliminary information to the data processing system 102 or directly to the client computing device 104 via the network 105. The data processing system 102 can incorporate the preliminary results from the service provider device 108 into the output signal, and transmit the output signal to the computing device 104. The output signal can include, for example, “Taxi Service Company A can pick you up at 123 Main Street in 10 minutes, and drop you off at 1234 Main Street by 9 AM for $10. Do you want to order this ride?” This can form the first portion of the output signal.

In some cases, the data processing system 102 can form a second portion of the output signal. The second portion of the output signal can include a content item selected by the content selector component 118 during a real-time content selection process. The first portion can be different from the second portion. For example, the first portion can include information corresponding to the first action data structure that is directly responsive to the data packets carrying the input audio signal detected by the sensor 134 of the client computing device 104, whereas the second potion can include a content item selected by a content selector component 118 that can be tangentially relevant to the first action data structure, or include sponsored content provided by a content provider device 106. For example, the end user of the computing device 104 can request a taxi from Taxi Service Company A. The data processing system 102 can generate the first portion of the output signal to include information about the taxi from the Taxi Service Company A. However, the data processing system 102 can generate the second portion of the output signal to include a content item selected based on the keywords “taxi service” and information contained in the first action data structure that the end user may be interested in. For example, the second portion can include a content item or information provided by a different taxi service company, such as Taxi Service Company B. While the user may not have specifically requested Taxi Service Company B, the data processing system 102 may nonetheless provide a content item from Taxi Service Company B because the user may choose to perform an operation with Taxi Service Company B.

The data processing system 102 can transmit information from the first action data structure to the Taxi Service Company B to determine a pick-up time, time of arrival at the destination, and a price for the ride. The data processing system 102 can receive this information and generate the second portion of the output signal as follows: “Taxi Service Company B can pick you up at 123 Main Street in 2 minutes, and drop you off at 1234 Main Street by 8:52 AM for $15. Do you want this ride instead?” The end user of computing device 104 can then select the ride provided by Taxi Service Company A or the ride provided by Taxi Service Company B.

Prior to providing, in the second portion of the output signal, the sponsored content item corresponding to the service provided by Taxi Service Company B, the data processing system 102 can notify the end user computing device that the second portion corresponds to a content item object selected during a real-time content selection process (e.g., by the content selector component 118). However, the data processing system 102 can have limited access to different types of interfaces to provide the notification to the end user of the computing device 104. For example, the computing device 104 may not include a display device, or the display device may be disabled or turned off. The display device of the computing device 104 may consume greater resources than the speaker of the computing device 104, so it may be less efficient to turn on the display device of the computing device 104 as compared to using the speaker of the computing device 104 to convey the notification. Thus, in some cases, the data processing system 102 can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of information transmission over one or more interfaces or one or more types of computer networks. For example, the data processing system 102 (e.g., via the audio signal generator component 122) can module the portion of the output audio signal comprising the content item to provide the indication or notification the end user that that portion of the output signal comprises the sponsored content item.

The audio signal generator component 122 can generate the output signal using one or more audio modulation techniques. An audio modulation technique can include, for example, a frequency shift, amplitude shift, an audio overlay, or an audio watermark. The audio modulation technique can include, in some cases, applying a modulation or changing a portion of the original output signal, or not changing or modulating the original audio signal (e.g., the absence of change or modulation to a portion of the original output signal).

The data processing system 102 can generate the first portion of the output signal with a first audio modulation. The data processing system 102 can generate the second portion of the output signal with a second audio modulation. The first audio modulation can be different from the second audio modulation in order to indicate that the first portion of the output signal is of a different type than the second portion of the output signal. For example, the first audio modulation of the first portion of the output signal can indicate that the first portion is an organic result or directly responsive to the end user's input audio signal. The second audio modulation of the second portion of the output signal can indicate that the second portion is a sponsored content item selected by a content selector during a real-time content selection process.

The first audio modulation can include a default audio modulation. The default audio modulation can, in some cases, refer to not modulating the sound. For example, the default modulation can refer to a zero frequency shift, no pitch shift, no change in amplitude, or no audio watermark. In some case, the first portion can be modulated by decreasing or increasing the pitch, frequency, tone, amplitude (e.g., volume), or applying an audio watermark.

The audio signal generator component 122 can modulate at least a portion of the output signal by shifting a frequency of the portion of the output signal. The audio signal generator component 122 can increase or decrease a frequency of the portion of the output signal. The audio signal generator component 122 can increase the frequency of the output signal to generate a resulting output signal with a higher frequency, tone, or pitch as compared to the original output signal. The audio signal generator component 122 can decrease the frequency of the output signal to generate a resulting output signal with a lower frequency, tone, or pitch as compared to the original output signal. The audio signal generator component can adjust the bass or treble of the output signal.

The audio signal generator component 122 can include a mixer or a frequency mixer. A mixer can refer to a nonlinear electrical circuit that creates new frequencies from two signals applied to it. For example, two signals at frequencies f1 and f2 can be applied to a mixer, and the mixer can produce new signals at the sum f1+f2 and difference f1−f2 of the original frequencies, called heterodynes.

The audio signal generator component 122 can include a pitch shifter, pitch bender or auto tuner that can raise or lower the pitch of the sound recorded in at least a portion of the output signal. The pitch shifter can refer to a sound effects unit that raises or lowers the pitch of an audio signal by a preset or predetermined interval. For example, the pitch shifter set to increase the pitch by a fourth can raise each note three diatonic intervals above the notes actually played. The pitch shifter can raise or lower the pitch by one or two octaves, or a range of interval alterations. The pitch shifter can include a harmonizer that combines the “shifted” pitch with the original pitch to create a two or more note harmony.

In some cases, the output signal can include a digital recording. The audio signal generator component 122 can perform pitch shifting on the digital recording through digital signal processing. The audio signal generator 122 can shift the pitch values in post-production or in real-time. For example, the audio signal generator component 122 can generate the output signal with the pitch shifted portion, and transmit data packets including the output signal with the pitch shifted values to the client computing device 104 for playback. In some cases, the audio signal generator component 122 can transmit the output signal with instructions to the client computing device 104 to shift the pitch values in real-time during playback. The client computing device 104 can receive data packets carrying the output signal in the payload as well as instructions to shift the pitch values up or down, and the amount to shift the pitch. The client computing device 104 can receive the output signal and pitch instructions from the data processing system 102 (e.g., via network 105). The client computing device 104 (e.g., via the audio driver 138) can shift the frequency of the potion of the output signal as the speaker (e.g., 136) of the client computing device 104 plays the sound.

The audio signal generator component 122 can include an amplifier to increase the amplitude of the output. The audio signal generator component 122 can apply digital signal processing techniques to increase the amplitude of at least a portion of the output signal. The audio signal generator component 122 can transmit instructions to the audio driver 138 to increase the amplitude of at least a portion of the sound generated by the transducer 136 or speaker. The audio signal generator component 122 can generate an audio file comprising one or more types of modulations to one or more portions of the output signal.

The audio signal generator component 122 can apply an audio watermark to at least a portion of the output signal. An audio watermarking can refer to the process of embedding information into a signal (e.g. audio signal) in a way that is difficult to remove. For example, the watermark can be applied across the frequency spectrum such that removing the watermark would distort the original audio signal to an extent where the original audio signal is not desirable or suitable. If the signal is copied, then the information is also carried in the copy. The audio watermark can include an identifier, unique identifier, or other signal or information that is difficult to remove. In some cases, the audio watermark can be applied across the frequency spectrum of the output signal. The audio watermark can include a signal within the auditory frequency range (e.g., 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz).

The audio signal generator component 122 can apply an audio overlay to at least a portion of the output signal. The audio overlay can include a tone, note, phrase, instrumental, beat, or other audio overlay. The audio overlay can have a same or different amplitude as the portion of the output signal. For example, the audio overlay can be perceived by the end user of the computing device 104 to be a background audio or sound. The audio overlay can include statements such as “This content item provided by content provider”.

Thus, by modulating a portion of the output corresponding to the content item, the data processing system 102 (e.g., via the audio signal generator component 122) can efficiency transmit additional information about the content item via the audio interface. The original content item can be modulated. The original content item may not include an indication, or auditory indication, that the content item corresponds to a sponsored content item. The data processing system 102 can modulate the portion corresponding to the content item since the original content item may not include such notification or indication. Modulating the original content item may be more efficient or an improvement over adding an additional audio clip to the auditory content item as that can require additional data transmission, occupy additional speaker resources and battery resources, additional processing resources, and otherwise occupy a time interval greater than the original auditory content item.

The data processing system 102 (e.g., via interface 110 and network 105) can transmit data packets comprising the output signal generated by the audio signal generator component 122. The output signal can cause the audio driver component 138 of or executed by the client device 104 to drive a speaker (e.g., transducer 136) of the client device 104 to generate an acoustic wave corresponding to the output signal.

The data processing system 102 can include, access, execute or otherwise communicate with a policy engine component 120 to determine, based on the content item selected via the real-time content selection process, to instruct the audio signal generator component 122 to apply a modulation to at least a portion of the output signal. The policy engine component 120 can determine, for example, to apply a modulation to the second portion of the output signal, and to not modulate the first portion of the output signal. The policy engine component 120 can determine, for example, to apply the first modulation to the first portion of the output signal, and the second modulation different from the first modulation to the second portion of the output signal.

The policy engine component 120 can include or utilize one or more rules, decision trees, heuristic techniques, or machine learning techniques to determine to modulate a portion of the output signal, and the type of modulation. For example, the policy engine component 120 can utilize a rule that instructs to apply a modulation to a portion of the output signal corresponding to a content item, and not modulate a portion of the output signal corresponding to the first action data structure. The policy engine component 120 can utilize a rule that instructs to apply a first modulation to the first portion of the output signal that includes or corresponds to the first action data structures, and apply a second modulation to the second portions of the output signal that includes or corresponds to the content item object selected by the content selector component 118 during the real-time content selection process.

The policy engine component 120 can include or utilize one or more rules. The rules can be stored in data repository 124 in a policies data structure 128. Rules can include if/then statements, conditional statements, event driven rules, location-based rules, or Boolean logic. Rules can include, for example, to modulate the portion if it corresponds to a content item provided by a content item provider device 106; modulate the portion if it corresponds to the content item and the content item has not previously been provided to the computing device 104; modulate the portion if it corresponds to the content item and the content item has not previously been provided to the computing device 104 during a time interval (e.g., the last 10 minutes; the last 30 minutes; the last 1 hour; the last 2 hours; the last 4 hours; the last 8 hours; the last 24 hours; the last 72 hours, or more); modulate the portion if it corresponds to the content item and the content item has not previously been provided to the computing device 104 during a communication session (e.g., a conversational session as determined by the session handler 114); modulate the portion if it has not been previously presented to the computing device 104 while the computing device 104 was located at a current location or other predetermined location; or modulate the portion if it has not been previously presented to the computing device 104 while the computing device 104 was located at a current location or other predetermined location during the time interval.

For example, if the computing device 104 was located at 123 Main Street and received the second portion of the output signal modulated with the second modulation to indicate that it corresponds to a content item object selected by the content selector component 118 during a real-time content selection process, then the policy engine component 120 can determine, based on a rule selected or retrieved from the policies data structure 128 stored in data repository 124, to not apply the second modulation if the second portion is being provided to the computing device 104 while it is at the same location as a previous time when the content item was presented to the computing device 104, and within 15 minutes of when the content item was previously presented to the computing device 104.

The policy engine 120 (or policy component or policy engine component) can determine whether to modulate a portion of an output signal. The policy engine 120 can determine whether a portion of the output signal is eligible for modulation. The policy engine 120 can determine to modulate the output signal based on the contents of a portion of the output signal. For example, the output signal can include a first portion and a second portion. One of the first portion or the second portion can include one or more terms, words, phrases, or other content that is eligible for modulation. For example, the one or more portions of the output signal can include a content item provided by content provider device 106 and selected by the content selector component 118. In another example, the content item can be associated with a digital action, such as expandable content, hidden content, commands, instructions, actions, tasks, an application, script or other type of digital action. Thus, the policy engine 120 can determine, based on the type of content item being from a third party provider such as a content provider device 106 or the type of the content item being a digital action, that the content item is eligible for modulation. The policy engine 120 can determine to modulate the content item, or portion of the output audio signals containing the content item, with an audio modulation that is different from a default audio modulation. The policy engine 120 can use a modulation policy (e.g., modulation policy stored in policies data structure 128 in data repository 124).

The data processing system 102 (e.g., via policy engine 120 and modulation policy stored in policies data structure 128) can determine that the type of the content item is digital action. To determine the type of content item, the data processing system 102 (e.g., policy engine 120 or other component) can query the content data 130 stored in data repository 124. The data processing system 102 can construct a query with an identifier of the content item selected by the content selector component 118 and a request. The data processing system 102 can query the content data 130 in data repository to determine the type of content item. For example, the data processing system 102 can perform a lookup in content 130 using the identifier of the content item to determine a type of the content item. The data processing system 102 can further determine whether the content data 130 indicates that the content item is associated with a digital action, link, reference, hyperlink, pointer, instructions, expandable content, hidden content, actions, tasks, or other digital action or content. In some cases, the data processing system 102 can query the content provider device 106, via network 105, to determine the type of the content item or whether the content item is associated with a digital action.

In some cases, the data processing system 102 (e.g., policy engine 120) can query the computing device 104 to determine the type of the content item or whether the content item is associated with a digital action or expandable content. For example, the content item can include a calendar entry stored in a calendar database or data structure on the computing device 104. The data processing system 102 can transmit a query to the computing device 104 to determine whether the calendar entry includes additional content or expandable content (e.g., an event description, event location, event end time, or event attendees). If the data processing system 102 that the content item as associated with additional content that may be initially hidden from presentation, but provided in response to an additional request for content, the data processing system 102 can determine that the type of the content item is an expandable content.

The data processing system 102 can determine the content item is associated with a digital action (e.g., expandable content). The data processing system 102 can determine the type of the content item is “digital action,” which can indicate that the content item is associated with a digital action. The data processing system 102 can determine that the type of the content item is “expandable content”, which can indicate that the content item is associated with hidden content or additional content that can be presented responsive to a request.

The data processing system 102 can determine, using a modulation policy (e.g., from policies 128 stored in data repository 124) that the content item is eligible for audio modulation based on the type of content item (e.g., digital action or expandable content). The data processing system 102 can determine to modulate the content item responsive to determining the type of the content item is digital action or expandable content. The data processing system 102 can determine to modulate the content item with a modulation that is different than a default audio modulation. The data processing system 102 can determine to modulate the content item, or that the content item is a candidate for audio modulation, responsive to determining that the content item is associated with a digital action or expandable content item because providing such an indication can reduce computing resource consumption, reduce network bandwidth consumption, or reduce delay in execution of a digital action. For example, providing an indication of the type of content item prior to completing output of an entire output signal can allow the data processing system to receive a request to execute the digital action or present the expandable content once the modulated content is output via a speaker of the computing device 104, as opposed to when the full output signal is output by the computing device 104.

The data processing system 102 can determine whether or not to apply audio modulation to a content item that is eligible for audio modulation. The data processing system 102, via audio modulation policy, can determine to apply audio modulation to the content item if the content item is eligible for audio modulation. In some cases, however, the data processing system 102 can determine not to apply an audio modulation different from a default audio modulation to the content item even if the content item is eligible for audio modulation. The data processing system 102 can determine to block modulation of the portion of the output signal containing the content item. The data processing system 102 can determine to prevent a modulation different from a default audio modulation for the portion of the output signal containing, or corresponding to, the content item. The portion of the output signal corresponding to the content item can refer to the portion of the output signal including a term, word, or phrase that is the content item.

The data processing system 102 can use a modulation policy to determine whether to modulate an eligible content item with a modulation different from the default audio modulation. The data processing system 102 can use the modulation policy to disable execution, or prevent initiation of execution, of a digital action or expandable content associated with the content item. The data processing system 102 can use the modulation policy to authorize modulation of the content item. The data processing system 102 (e.g., policy engine 120) can determine whether to modulate the content item, or portion of the output signal containing the content item, based on a frequency of occurrence of the content item, context of the conversation, context of the communication session, historical activity, via a machine learning model, or preferences associated with the computing device 104 (or an electronic account thereof).

The data processing system 102 can determine whether or not to modulate an output signal containing the content item based on a frequency of occurrence of the content item. The frequency of occurrence can refer to the number of times the content item was presented or output by the computing device 104 during a time interval. The frequency of occurrence can refer to the number of times the content item was presented or output by the computing device during a communication session. The data processing system 102 can compare the frequency of occurrence with a threshold. If the frequency of occurrence satisfies a threshold (e.g., the frequency of occurrence is less than or equal to a threshold), then the data processing system 102 can determine to authorize modulation of the content item that is eligible for modulation. If the frequency of occurrence of the content item does not satisfy a threshold (e.g., the frequency of occurrence is greater than or equal to a threshold), then the data processing system can determine to not modulate, block modulation, prevent modulation, or otherwise use a default audio modulation to output the content item.

For example, the content item selected by the data processing system 102 may be transmitted to the computing device 104 to cause the computing device to output the content item. Within 5 minutes of outputting the content item, the data processing system 102 may construct another output signal that contains the same content item. This second output signal may be a different output signal in that one or more portions of the second output signal may contain terms, words or phrases that are different from the first output signal transmitted to the computing device 104 5 minutes prior. The data processing system 102 can determine that the frequency of occurrence (e.g., once every 5 minutes) is less than or equal to a threshold (e.g., 3 times in 10 minutes), and authorize modulation of the content item. Two minutes later, the data processing system 102 can construct a third output signal with one or more portions that are different from portions of the first output signal and the second output signal, but contains the same content item. The data processing system 102 can initially determine, using the modulation policy, that the portion of the third output signal is eligible for modulation. The data processing system 102 can compare the frequency of modulation with a threshold (e.g., 3 times in 7 minutes is greater than or equal to threshold of 3 times in 10 minutes), and determine, based on the comparison, to block modulation of the content item. Thus, the data processing system 102 can determine to allow modulation of the content item until the frequency of occurrence of the content item on the computing device 104, or in a computing session, or on one or more computing devices 104 associated with the same electronic account, exceeds a threshold.

The data processing system 102 select the content item responsive to a second input audio signal received subsequent to the input audio signal. The data processing system 102 can determine, based on the content item being associated with a digital action, that the content item is eligible for audio modulation. The data processing system 102 can identify a frequency of occurrence of the content item on the client device (e.g., computing device 104). The data processing system 102 can determine the frequency of occurrence is greater than or equal to a threshold. The data processing system 102 can determine, responsive to the frequency of occurrence being greater than or equal to the threshold, to use the default audio modulation instead of the first audio modulation for the content item.

By not modulating the content item, the data processing system 102 may not indicate that the content item is associated with a digital action or expandable. In some cases, presenting the content item absent the modulation can disable the digital action or prevent execution of the digital action. In some cases, the data processing system 102 can use the default audio modulation while enabling execution of the digital action or expandable content. For example, the data processing system 102 can determine to not indicate that the content item is associated with a digital content or expandable content, but nevertheless allow execution of the digital action or extendable content responsive to receiving a request to execute the digital action or expandable content.

The data processing system 102 (e.g., policy engine 120) can determine whether to modulate the content item, or portion of the output signal containing the content item, based on a context of the conversation, context of the communication session, historical activity, via a machine learning model, or preferences associated with the computing device 104 (or an electronic account thereof). For example, the data processing system 102 can determine that the context of the conversation does not allow for, or prohibits, execution of digital actions or expandable content (e.g., a setting limiting types of actions being executing on the computing device 104). The context can refer to a topic, semantic topic, vertical or category of the conversation, such as news, current events, geography, history, recipe, calendar, entertainment, sports, shopping, music, movies, or travel. The data processing system 102 can determine the context of the communication session is news, and determine to authorize modulating content items for the conversation occurring during the communication session, for example. In another example, the data processing system 102 can determine that the context of the conversation is shopping or executing an online transaction to purchase an item, and determine not to modulate the content item so as to reduce the likelihood of the electronic transaction from being terminated prior to completion. The electronic transaction may include multiple actions or steps, and modulating content item to indicate expandable content or a digital action that may not further completion of the electronic transaction may cause the data processing system 102 terminate the electronic transaction (or communication session), which may result in repeating handshaking process or authentication/authorization process when the computing device 104 resumes the electronic transaction.

The data processing system 102 can determine whether to modulate the content item based on historical activity. The data processing system 102 can determine that the type of content item is a digital action or expandable content. The data processing system 102 can further determine the type of the content item based on a context of the content item, such as news, current events, geography, history, recipe, calendar, entertainment, sports, shopping, music, movies, or travel. The data processing system 102 can determine that the computing device 104 previously executed a digital action or expandable content for other content items of the same type. For example, the computing device 104 may have interacted with a first content item of the first type. The data processing system 102 can store an indication of the interaction in content data 130. When a second content item of the first type is selected, the data processing system 102 can perform a lookup in content data 130 to determine, based on historical network activity, that the computing device 104 interacted with content of the first type. Responsive to determining that the computing device 104 has interacted with content of the first type (e.g., geographical content), and determining that the second content item is associated with a digital action or expandable content, the data processing system 102 can determine to modulate audio output for the second content item to indicate that the second content item is associated with the digital action or expandable content.

For example, the data processing system 102 can select a second content item responsive to receipt of a second input audio signal. The data processing system 102 can determine the second content item is a same type of content as the content item. The data processing system 102 can determine that the client device previously initiated execution of a digital action for the content item. The data processing system 102 can determine, responsive to the previous initiation of execution of the digital action for the content item, to apply audio modulation to the second content item different from the default audio modulation.

The data processing system 102 can determine whether to modulate content items associated with digital actions or expandable content based on multiple features associated with the communication session or conversation, such as context of the session, type of content, location of computing device 104, type of computing device 104 (e.g., smartphone, smart television, smart speaker, wearable device, smart watch, laptop computer, desktop computer, or tablet), time of day, weather, duration of the conversation, duration of the output signal, historical execution of digital actions or expandable content, characteristics or tone of the voice input, the type of digital action, amount of expandable content, or other factors. The data processing system 102 identify what factors were present when digital actions or expandable content is requested. The data processing system 102 can identify and store values for these factors, and whether a digital action or expandable content was requested. The data processing system 102 can further identify and store a value indicating whether a content item was modulated to indicate the availability of a digital action or expandable content, in addition to the factors and whether the digital action or expandable content was executed. The data processing system 102 can generate a data set containing values for these factors and an indication as to whether digital actions or content items were executed. The data processing system 102 can train a machine learning model (e.g., regression model, neural network, or Bayesian classifier) with the data set. The data processing system 102 can use the machine learning model trained based on the data set to determine whether to modulate a content item. For example, when the data processing system 102 receives data packets with an input audio signal, the data processing system 102 can identify factors associated with the computing device 104 providing the input audio signal, factors associated with the session, conversation, selected content item or other factors. The data processing system 102 can input the factors of the data packets and other factors into the machine learning model to predict a likelihood of execution of a digital action or expandable content of the selected content item. The data processing system 102 can determine the likelihood of interaction based on whether the content item is modulated with a modulation different from the default modulation. The data processing system 102 can predict, using the machine learning model, that modulating the content item with a modulation different from the default modulation can result in an increased likelihood of interaction with the digital action or expandable content associated with the content item. The data processing system 102 can determine to modulate the content item with a first audio modulation if the likelihood of interaction is greater relative modulating the content item with a default audio modulation. The data processing system 102 can determine to modulate the content item with a first audio modulation if the likelihood of execution (e.g., receiving a request to execute the digital action from the computing device 104) is greater than the likelihood of execution with a default audio modulation by a predetermined amount (e.g., 5% greater, 10% greater, 15% greater, 20% greater, 30% greater or more).

The data processing system 102 can determine whether or not to modulate eligible content items based on preferences stored in an electronic account. Preferences can indicate what types of content items are authorized for modulation. For example, the preferences can indicate to modulate geographic content items, but not modulate content items for shopping. The preferences can indicate authorized times of day for modulation (e.g., no modulation between 9 AM and 5 PM, and modulation authorized from 5 PM to 10 PM).

The data processing system 102 can select, responsive to the type of the content item being the digital action or expandable content, the first audio modulation different from the default audio modulation. The data processing system 102 can apply, assign, otherwise cause the first audio modulation to a portion of the output signal consisting of the content item. The data processing system 102 may only modulate the portion of the audio signal that is the content item (e.g., the words, terms, or phrases that are the content item). The data processing system 102 may not modulate portions of the output signal that are different from the content item (e.g., a sentence describing geographic aspects of Germany, in which the content item is only the term “Germany”).

The data processing system 102 can generate an output signal with a first portion preceding a second portion. The data processing system 102 can generate the first portion with the content item and the first audio modulation. The data processing system 102 can generate the second portion with the default audio modulation (e.g., since the second portion does not contain the content item). The data processing system 102 can receive, subsequent to the computing device 104 presenting the first portion of the output signal and prior to the computing device 104 presenting at least a portion of the second portion of the output signal, a second input audio signal with a second request to initiate execution of a digital action associated with the content item. For example, since the first portion with the content item was modulated, the user may determine that there is a digital action associated with the content item, and may further determine to execute the digital action prior to hearing the rest of the output signal (e.g., the second portion). The computing device 104 can be configured to detect voice input subsequent to outputting the modulated content item. The data processing system 102 can instruct the computing device 104 to detect voice input subsequent to outputting modulated content items (e.g., enable or activate a microphone or sensor 134 or transducer 136 of the computing device 104 subsequent to outputting a content item modulated with a first audio modulation or any audio modulation different from a default modulation). The data processing system 102 can receive second data packets comprising a second input audio signal containing a request to execute the digital action associated with the content item. The data processing system 102 can receive the second data packets prior to the computing device 104 output some or all of the second portion of the output signal. The data processing system 102 can execute the digital action responsive to the request, and provide a second output signal to cause the computing device 104 to terminate or end output of the output signal (or the second portion of the output signal), and, instead, output a second output signal responsive to the request to execute the digital action.

For example, the data processing system 102 can identify a second content item linked to the content item. The data processing system 102 can determine, responsive to the second content item associated with a second digital action, to modulate audio for the second content item. The data processing system 102 can generate a first portion of a second output signal absent the second item with the default audio modulation. For example, the first portion of the second output signal may not include the second content item. The data processing system 102 can generate a second portion of the second output signal with the second content item and with audio modulation different from the default audio modulation. The data processing system 102 can transmit second data packets having the second output signal to cause the audio driver component 138 executed by the computing device 104 (e.g., client device) to drive the speaker (e.g., transducer 136) of the computing device 104 (e.g., client device) to generate a second acoustic wave corresponding to the second output signal.

The data processing system 102 can determine whether or not to execute a digital action associated with a content item. The data processing system 102 can determine whether or not to execute expandable content associated with the content item. The data processing system 102 can determine whether or not execute the digital action or expandable content responsive to a request to execute the digital action or expandable content. In some cases, the data processing system 102 can execute the digital action or expandable content responsive to a request for execution from the computing device 104. In some cases, the data processing system 102 can determine not to execute the digital action or expandable content responsive to a request for execution from the computing device 104.

For example, the data processing system 102 receive a second input audio signal including a trigger to execute a digital action associated with the content item. The data processing system 102 can determine a time difference between receipt of the second input audio signal and transmission of the data packets comprising the output signal for the content item. The data processing system 102 can execute the digital action responsive to the time difference being less than or equal to a threshold. Thus, the data processing system 102 can set a time window during which a request to execute a digital action will be processed. Upon termination or expiration of the time widow, the data processing system 102 can determine not to execute requests for the digital action. If the timestamp of the request falls within the threshold (e.g., 3 seconds, 5 seconds, or 7 seconds), then the data processing system 102 can determine to execute the digital action. If the time difference between the request and output of the modulated content item is greater than the threshold, the data processing system 102 can block execution of the digital action or expandable content associated with the content item.

In some cases, the data processing system 102 can instruct the computing device 104 to activate a microphone (e.g., sensor 134 or transducer 136) of the computing device 104 for a predetermined time window or duration, and then deactivate or turn off the microphone. By setting a timer, countdown timer, duration, or time window, the data processing system 102 can instruct the computing device 104 to activate a microphone for a predetermined, limited duration, thereby conserving computing processing resources and energy consumption (e.g., battery power) of the computing device 104. After the timer expires, any voice input provided prior to completion of the output signal, when the microphone may be reactivated, may not be detected nor transmitted to the data processing system.

The data processing system 102 can include, execute, access, or otherwise communicate with a session handler component 114 to establish a communication session between the client device 104 and the data processing system 102. The communication session can refer to one or more data transmissions between the client device 104 and the data processing system 102 that includes the input audio signal that is detected by a sensor 134 of the client device 104, and the output signal transmitted by the data processing system 102 to the client device 104. The data processing system 102 (e.g., via the session handler component 114) can establish the communication session responsive to receiving the input audio signal. The session handler 114 can assign a unique identifier to the communication session. For example, the data processing system can generate the unique identifier for the communication session based on a tuple formed from a plurality of values such as a timestamp corresponding to when the communication session was established, a unique identifier of the communication session, time and date stamp of the communication session, and identifier of the service provider device. The data processing system 102 can set a duration for the communication session. The data processing system 102 can set a timer or a counter for the duration set for the communication session. Responsive to expiration of the timer, the data processing system 102 can terminate the communication session.

The communication session can refer to a network-based communication session in which the client device 104 provides authenticating information or credentials to establish the session. In some cases, the communication session refers to a topic or a context of audio signals carried by data packets during the session. For example, a first communication session can refer to audio signals transmitted between the client device 104 and the data processing system 102 that are related to (e.g., include keywords, first action data structures, or content item objects) a taxi service; and a second communication session can refer to audio signals transmitted between the client device 104 and data processing system 102 that are related to a laundry and dry cleaning service. In this example, the data processing system 102 can determine that the context of the audio signals are different (e.g., via the NLP component 112), and separate the two sets of audio signals into different communication sessions. The session handler 114 can terminate the first session related to the ride service responsive to identifying one or more audio signals related to the dry cleaning and laundry service. Thus, the data processing system 102 can initiate or establish the second session for the audio signals related to the dry cleaning and laundry service responsive to detecting the context of the audio signals.

The session handler 114 can detect a transition from a first type of network activity (e.g., taxi service) that occurred in the communication session to a second type of network activity (e.g., laundry service). The session handler 114 can terminate, responsive to the transition, the communication session. The session handler 114 can establish a second communication session between the client device and the data processing system. The second communication session can include the second type of network activity (e.g., laundry service) and a second input audio signal (e.g., a request for the laundry service).

The session handler 114 can initiate, establish, or terminate communication sessions using various parameters stored in a parameter data structure 126 or policies stored in policies data structure 128. Parameters can include, for example, time intervals, location boundaries, distances, relevancy scores, semantic vector distances, number of audio signals or back-and-forth communications between the client device 104 and the data processing system 102, a number of words transmitted between the data processing system 102 and the client device 104, or a number of sentences or queries transmitted between the data processing system 102 and the client device 104. Policies can include, for example, to terminate a communication session responsive to a condition, event or trigger that can be set based on a parameter. For example, the policy can include terminating the communication session responsive to the client device 104 leaving a location based boundary defined as 100 meters around the location of the user when the communication session was established.

While modulating portions of the output signal corresponding to the content item object can reduce resource consumption as compared to providing an additional audio or video notification in addition to the content item, the data processing system 102 (e.g., via policy engine component 120 and session handler component 114) can further reduce resource consumption by determining not to modulate the portion of the output signal corresponding to the content item if the content item selected via the real-time content selection process was previously presented to the client device during the communication session. Since the content item was previously presented during the same communication session, the data processing system 102 can determine that it is not necessary to provide the same indication via modulation, and forgo the modulation, thereby avoiding the resource consumption by the audio signal generator component 122 to apply a modulation technique (e.g., a pitch shift, amplitude change, audio overlay or audio watermark).

However, if the data processing system 102 determines that the content item was not previously provided to the client device 104 during the communication session, the data processing system 102 can instruct, responsive to the content item not previously provided during the communication session, the audio signal generator component 122 to generate the second portion of the output signal with the second audio modulation different from the first audio modulation.

In some cases, the communication session can include multiple input audio signals detected by the microphone of the client computing device 104. The content selector component 118 can select, based on a second input audio signal, a second content item. The data processing system 102 (e.g., via the policy engine component 120) can determine whether to apply a modulation technique to a portion of the output signal corresponding to the second content item. For example, the policy engine 120 can determine that the second content item is different from one or more content items previously selected and provided for the client device during the communication session. The content item can be different if it is for a different service or product, or provided by a different content provider device 106. Since the second content item is different from the first content item, the data processing system 102 can determine to provide an indication by modulating the audio output corresponding to the second content item. To reduce resource consumption, the data processing system 102 may not modulate the output if the second content item matches or is similar to a content previously provided during the communication session (e.g., for the same service or product or provided by the same content provider device 106).

In the event the second content item is different from some or all of the content items previously presented during the communication session, the data processing system 102 can instruct the audio signal generator component 122 to generate a second output signal comprising a third portion corresponding to the second content item selected by the content selector component. The audio signal generator component 122 can generate the third portion generated with the same modulation used to generate the second portion of the output signal corresponding to the first content item, or a different modulation.

In some cases, the data processing system 102 can determine that the second content item corresponds to at least one content item previously selected during the communication session, and instruct, responsive to the one or more content items previously provided during the communication session, the audio signal generator component 122 to generate an output signal comprising a portion corresponding to the second content item and generated with the first audio modulation used on the first portion corresponding to the data structure. For example, the data processing system 102 can determine, in this case, not to distinguish the second content item from the first portion corresponding to the data structure and, therefore, apply the same modulation technique or default modulation technique (e.g., no modulation).

In some cases, the data processing system can mark or flag the communication session as containing sponsored content items. Subsequent to flagging the communication session as containing at least one sponsored content item, the data processing system can determine to modulate some or all output signals provide during the flagged communication session. The data processing system can un-flag the communication session based on a time interval or responsive to the data processing system providing an organic result or non-sponsored item. The data processing system can un-flag the communication session based on a change in context of the communication session. Once the communication has been un-flagged, the data processing system can stop modulating the output audio signals. The data processing system can modulate audio signals corresponding to a single sponsored content item or multiple sponsored content items.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of the system 100 to modulate packetized audio signals. The system can include one or more component of system 100 depicted in FIG. 1. At 205, the client computing device 104 can transmit data packets carrying the input audio signal detected by a microphone or other sensor of the computing device 104. The client computing device 104 can transmit the input audio signal to the data processing system 102. The data processing system 102 can communicate or otherwise interface with the service provider device 108 and the content provider device 106 to generate the first portion of the output signal at 210, and generate the second portion of the output signal at 215. The first portion of the output signal can correspond to a first action data structure responsive to the input audio signal. The first portion of the output signal can include information or otherwise be associated with the service provider device 108. For example, the first portion of the output signal can include a query to confirm the request in the input audio signal. The second portion of the output signal can include a content item object provided by the content provider device 106. The content item object can be selected by the data processing system 102 during a real-time content selection process that is based on one or more keywords of the input audio signal received at 205. At 220, the data processing system 102 can further apply a first audio modulation to the first portion of the output signal, and a second audio modulation to the second portion of the output signal at 225. At 230 and 235, the data processing system 102 can merge, combine, stitch together or otherwise juxtapose the first portion of the output signal with the first modulation and the second portion of the output signal with the second modulation into a modulated output signal (which can be referred to as the output signal). The data processing system 102 can generate an audio file with the first portion and the second portion for transmission to the client computing device 104. The data processing system 102 can stream the modulated output signal to the client computing device 104 to cause the client computing device 104 to play the output signal.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of the system 100 to modulate packetized audio signals. The system can include one or more component of system 100 depicted in FIG. 1. At 305, the client computing device 104 can transmit a first input audio signal to the data processing system 102. The first input audio signal can be detected by a microphone of the client computing device 104. The data processing system 102 can establish a first communication session 325 responsive to receiving the first input audio signal. The data processing system 102 can communicate with a service provider device 108 and a content provider device 106 to generate a first output signal at 310. The first output signal can include a first portion with a first modulation that corresponds to the service provider 108 that provides a service that is responsive to the input audio signal. The first output signal can include a second portion with a second audio modulation that corresponds to a content item object provided by the content provider device 106, and selected by the data processing system 102 during a real-time content selection process. The data processing system 102 can transmit the first output signal to the client computing device 104 via a network.

At 315, the data processing system 102 can receive a second input audio signal from the client computing device 104. The data processing system 102 can parse the second input audio signal and determine that the second input audio signal belongs in the first communication session 325. For example, the session handler of the data processing system 102 can determine to maintain the first communication session or not terminate the first communication session. The data processing system 102 can interact with the service provider device 108 and the content provider device 106 to generate a second output signal at 320. The second output signal can include a third portion with the first audio modulation. The third portion can correspond to the service provider device 108. The second output signal can include a fourth portion with the first audio modulation. The fourth portion can correspond to a content item object provided by the content provider device 106. The data processing system 102 can apply the first modulation to the fourth portion because the data processing system 102 can determine that a content item from the content provider device 106 was previously provided to the client computing device 104 during the same communication session 325. Thus, the data processing system 102 can reduce resource utilization by not modulating the fourth portion of the second output signal because the data processing system 102 can determine that a modulation-based indication of the content item was previously provided in the same communication session. The data processing system 102 can then transmit data packets carrying the second output signal to the client computing device 104.

For example, the data processing system can include an intelligent personal assistant or voice-based digital assistant. An end user can verbally ask the data processing system what the weather is. The data processing system can respond via audio with the weather information in a first portion of an auditory output signal. Thus, the first portion can include an organic result or response to the user's query. Appended to the first portion of the auditory signal, the data processing system can provide a sponsored content item selected during a content selection process. The data processing system can modulate the audio of the second portion to indicate that the second portion contains a sponsored content item. The sponsored content item can be an audio content item for a ride sharing service, for example.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of an example method for performing dynamic modulation of packetized audio signals. The method 400 can be performed by one or more component, system or element of system 100 or system 700. The method 400 can include a data processing system receiving an input audio signal (ACT 405). The data processing system can receive the input audio signal from a client computing device. For example, a natural language processor component executed by the data processing system can receive the input audio signal from a client computing device via an interface of the data processing system. The data processing system can receive data packets that carry or include the input audio signal detected by a sensor of the client computing device (or client device).

At ACT 410, the method 400 can include the data processing system parsing the input audio signal. The natural language processor component can parse the input audio signal to identify a request and a trigger keyword corresponding to the request. For example, the audio signal detected by the client device can include “Okay device, I need a ride from Taxi Service Company A to go to 1234 Main Street.” In this audio signal, the initial trigger keyword can include “okay device”, which can indicate to the client device to transmit an input audio signal to the data processing system. A pre-processor of the client device can filter out the terms “okay device” prior to sending the remaining audio signal to the data processing system. In some cases, the client device can filter out additional terms or generate keywords to transmit to the data processing system for further processing.

The data processing system can identify a trigger keyword in the input audio signal. The trigger keyword can include, for example, “to go to” or “ride” or variations of these terms. The trigger keyword can indicate a type of service or product. The data processing system can identify a request in the input audio signal. The request can be determined based on the terms “I need”. The trigger keyword and request can be determined using a semantic processing technique or other natural language processing technique.

At ACT 415, the method 400 can include the data processing system generating a first action data structure. The data processing system can generate the first action data structure based on the trigger keyword. The first action data structure can be responsive to the request. For example, if the end user of the client computing device requests a taxi from Taxi Service Company A, the first action data structure can include information to request a taxi service from Taxi Service Company A. The data processing system can select a template for Taxi Service Company A, and populate fields in the template with values to allow the Taxi Service Company A to send a taxi to the user of the client computing device to pick up the user and transport the user to the requested destination.

At ACT 420, the method 400 can include the data processing system receiving the trigger keyword and selecting a content item object. The data processing system can receive the trigger keyword identified by the natural language processor. The data processing system can select, based on the trigger keyword, a content item via a real-time content selection process. The content item object can be provided by a content provider. The content item object can be provided by a content provider that is different from the service provider device to which the data processing system transmits the first action data structure. The data processing system can select the content item object from a content provider that is different than the service provider requested by the use of the client device in the input audio signal. For example, the user can request a taxi service from Taxi Service Company A, but the content item object selected by the data processing system during the real-time content selection process can be from Taxi Service Company B.

At ACT 425, the method 400 can include the data processing system generating an output signal comprising a first portion corresponding to the first action data structure and a second portion corresponding to the content item. In some cases, the first portion may not be modulated, while the second portion is modulated. In some cases, the first portion and the second portion are modulated with different modulations in order to distinguish the first portion from the second portion. For example, the data processing system can lower the pitch of the first portion and increase the pitch of the second portion; the data processing system can increase the volume of the first portion and decrease the volume of the second portion; the data processing system can increase the volume of the first portion and increase the pitch of the second portion; or the data processing system can increase the pitch of the first portion and apply an audio overlay or watermark to the second portion.

At ACT 430, the method 400 can include the data processing system transmitting the output signal the client computing device. The data processing system can transmit data packets comprising the output signal generated by the audio signal generator component to cause an audio driver component executed by the client device to drive a speaker of the client device to generate an acoustic wave corresponding to the output signal.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a flow chart for dynamically modulating packetized audio signals, in accordance with an implementation. The method 500 depicted by the flow chart can be performed by one or more component or system depicted in FIG. 1, 2, 3, or 7, including, for example, a data processing system, NLP component, policy engine, audio signal generator component, computing device, or content provider. At 502, a data processing system can receive data packets comprising an input audio signal. The data processing system can receive the data packets via a network. The data packets can include an input audio signal, such as a voice input, detected by a microphone of a client device. The client device, upon detecting the voice input, can convert the acoustic waves to data packets for transmission to the data processing system. In some cases, the client device can perform pre-processing on the detected voice input. The computing device can detect a wake word, hotword, or other indication that authorized the computing device to transmit the data packets to the data processing system for further processing.

At 504, the data processing system can parse the data packets containing the input audio signal to identify a request. The request can be based on keywords, topics, phrases, words or other information contained in the input audio signal. The request can be a request for information, a search request, a content request, a request to perform a task or action (e.g., purchase tickets, order a ride, play music, play a movie, or launch an application on the computing device). For example, the request can be a request for geographic information such as “where is the capital of Germany?”

At 506, the data processing system can identify a content item. The data processing system can execute a real-time content selection process to identify a content item responsive to, or otherwise based on, the request. The content item may have been provided by a third party content provider, or service provider. The content item may have been provided by the client device itself, such as a calendar entry, contact information, electronic document, or other content. The content item may be stored in data processing system, such as in an online electronic message account, cloud storage, or other data repository. The data processing system can access a data source via a network to identify the content item. The data processing system can query a data source via network to obtain the content item, such as an online electronic encyclopedia, map program, news source, weather source, marketplace, or merchant, for example.

At 508, the data processing system (e.g., via a policy engine) can determine a type of the content item. The type of the content item can refer to whether the content item is associated with a digital action or expandable content. The type of the content item can further indicate a context of the content item, such as news, shopping, geography, entertainment, tickets, music, or movies.

To determine the type of the content item, the data processing system can query a content data data structure stored in a data repository of the data processing system. The data structure can include an index or mapping of content items to digital actions, expandable content, links, hyperlink, metadata, references, pointers, instructions, programs, scripts or other data. The data processing system can determine, based on a query or lookup in the content data data structure, the type of the content item.

At decision block 510, the data processing system can determine whether the content item is actionable. The data can determine whether the content item is associated with a digital action or expandable content. If the content item is associated with a digital action or expandable content, the data processing system can determine that the content item is actionable. The determination as to whether the content item is actionable can be based on whether there is a digital action or expandable content associated with the content item.

If the content item is not actionable (e.g., there is no digital action or expandable associated with the content item in the content data data structure or elsewhere), the data processing system can proceed to act 512 and select a default audio modulation. The data processing system can, at 518, generate and transmit an output audio signal for the content item using the default audio modulation. The data processing system can assign the default audio modulation for the content item. The data processing system can apply the default audio modulation for the content item, or portion of the output signal that includes the content item. The data processing system can generate instructions to cause a computing device to output the portion of the output signal comprising the content item using the default audio modulation.

If, however, the data processing system determines at decision block 510 that the content item is actionable, the data processing system can proceed to decision block 514 to determine whether to modulate the content item. For example, at block 510, the data processing system can determine that the content item is eligible for modulation (e.g., a candidate for modulation), but at block 514 determine whether to proceed with modulating the eligible content item. The data processing system (e.g., by policy engine using a modulation policy) can determine whether to modulate the content item, or portion of the output signal containing the content item, based on a frequency of occurrence of the content item, context of the conversation, context of the communication session, historical activity, via a machine learning model, or preferences associated with the computing device (or an electronic account thereof). If the data processing system determines not to modulate the content item, or portion of the output signal containing the content item, the data processing system can proceed to 512 and use a default modulation.

If, however, the data processing system determines, at decision block 514, to modulate a portion of the output signal containing the content item using the modulation policy, then the data processing system can proceed to 516. At 516, the data processing system can select a modulation different from the default modulation. The data processing system can select a modulation that is different from the modulation used in one or more other portions of the output signal. The output signal can include a first portion that does not include the eligible content item, a second portion that includes the eligible content item, and a third portion that does not include the eligible content item. The data processing system can determine to modulate the second portion with a modulation different than the modulation used for the first portion and the second portion, which may be a default modulation. At 516, the data processing system can select a first modulation having a different frequency, tone, pitch, volume, amplitude or other audible or acoustic characteristic that is different relative to the default audio modulation used for the first and third portions of the output signal.

At 518, the data processing system can generate and transmit the output signal. The data processing system can construct the output signal with the selected one or more audio modulations (e.g., default audio modulation, first audio modulation, or second audio modulation). The data processing system can transmit the output signal to the client device to cause the client device to generate an acoustic wave corresponding to the output signal.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a flow chart for executing digital actions, in accordance with an implementation. The method 600 depicted by the flow chart can be performed by one or more component or system depicted in FIG. 1, 2, 3, or 7, including, for example, a data processing system, NLP component, policy engine, audio signal generator component, direct action API, computing device, or content provider. At 602, the data processing system can receive data packets that include an input audio signal. This input audio signal can refer to a request to execute a digital action or expandable content associated with a content item. The data processing system can receive the request 602 subsequent to transmitting an output signal that includes a modulated portion with a content item. For example, the data processing system, via method 500, can transmit an output signal with a first portion without a content item and with a default modulation, a second portion with a content item and first audio modulation, and a third portion without the content item and with the default audio modulation. Subsequent to the computing device presenting, rendering or otherwise outputting the second portion, the data processing system can receive data packets comprising the input audio signal 602.

At 604, the data processing system can identify a request to execute a digital action of the content item. The data processing system can parse the input audio signal received at 602 to identify a request to execute the digital action of the expandable content. For example, the input audio signal can include a term, word, keyword, or phrase of the content item itself. The input audio signal can include the term, keyword, or phrase that was modulated with a first modulation in the output signal at generated in method 500. For example, in the output signal “the capital of Germany is Berlin, which has a population of . . . ” generated via method 500, the first portion of the output signal can be “the capital city of Germany is”, the second portion of the output signal can be “Berlin”, and the third portion of the output signal can be “which has a population of . . . ”. The content item can be “Berlin”, which corresponds to the second portion of the output signal and can be output using the first modulation, whereas the first and second portions can be output using the default modulation.

Thus, at 604, the data processing system can parse the input audio signal received at 602 to identify the keyword “Berlin”. The input audio signal can include only the keyword “Berlin”. The input audio signal can include the keyword “Berlin” as well as other words or phrases, such as “where is Berlin?”, “what time is it in Berlin?”, “what is the weather in Berlin”, “what's a good restaurant in Berlin”, “how much are flights to Berlin?”, for example.

In some cases, the input audio signal received at 602 may not include the content item itself, but the data processing system can identify a request associated with the content item. For example, the input audio signal can be “where is that?”, “what time is it there?”, “what is the weather there?”, “what's a good restaurant?”, “how much are flights to go there?”, for example. The data processing system can identify a request via a NLP component.

At 606, the data processing system can determine a time difference between the output signal and the input signal. For example, the data processing system can determine a time difference between transmitting the output signal via method 500, and receiving the subsequent input signal at 602. The data processing system can identify a first timestamp associated with transmitting the output signal via method 500, and identify a second timestamp associated with receiving the input signal at 602. The first timestamp can be associated with when the data processing system transmits the output signal via method 500, when the client device begins outputting the output signal, when the client device completes outputting the output signal, when the client device begins outputting the portion of the output signal containing the modulated content item (e.g., second portion containing the term “Berlin”), when the client device completes outputting the portion of the output signal containing the modulated content item, when the third portion is output, or other timestamp.

The data processing system can identify a second timestamp associated with the input audio signal received subsequent to, or after, the data processing system transmitting the output signal to the client device. The second timestamp can be associated with when the client device detects the input audio signal, or when the data processing system receives the input audio signal from the client device.

The data processing system can determine a time difference between the first timestamp and the second timestamp. The data processing system can subtract the first timestamp from the second timestamp, or otherwise determine a difference between the first and second timestamps. The data processing system can normalize the timestamps prior to performing an operation using the two timestamps (e.g., convert the timestamps to a same time zone such as a coordinated universal time, a time zone of the data processing system, or a time zone of the client device).

At decision block 608, the data processing system can determine whether the time difference satisfies a threshold. The threshold can be an amount of time. The data processing system can determine whether the time difference is less than or equal to the threshold. If the time difference is less than or equal to the threshold, the data processing system can determine that the time difference satisfies the threshold. The threshold can be, for example, 3 seconds, 4 seconds, 5 seconds, 7 seconds or some other time period or time interval. The threshold can be based on an event or condition, such as termination of a communication session or conversation associated with the content item or output signal. The threshold can be a geographic fence, such as a geographical boundary around a location of the client device when the client device output the output signal containing the content item. For example, instead of determining a time difference, the data processing system can determine a distance between where client device was located when the output signal was played, and where the client device is located when the input signal was received subsequent to the output signal.

If the data processing system determines the threshold is not satisfied, the data processing system can proceed to 610 to block execution of the digital action. The data processing system can determine not to execute the digital action or expandable content in order to reduce computing resource consumption or network bandwidth utilization. The data processing system can determine that the digital action or expandable content may no longer be relevant due to the threshold not being satisfied.

If the data processing system determines, at decision block 608, that the threshold is satisfied, or otherwise determines to authorize or allow execution of the digital action or expandable content responsive to the input signal, the data processing system can proceed to 612 to execute the digital action or expandable content of the content item. Executing the expandable content can refer to or include retrieving the expandable content associated with the content item, generating a new output signal with the expandable content, and transmitting the expandable content to the client device to cause the client device to render, present, or otherwise output the new output signal. Executing the digital action can refer to or include executing instructions, rules, a program, script, launching an application, or otherwise performing one or more tasks associated with the content item in the content data data structure.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an example computer system 700. The computer system or computing device 700 can include or be used to implement the system 100, or its components such as the data processing system 102. The computing system 700 includes a bus 705 or other communication component for communicating information and a processor 710 or processing circuit coupled to the bus 705 for processing information. The computing system 700 can also include one or more processors 710 or processing circuits coupled to the bus for processing information. The computing system 700 also includes main memory 715, such as a random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage device, coupled to the bus 705 for storing information, and instructions to be executed by the processor 710. The main memory 715 can be or include the data repository 124. The main memory 715 can also be used for storing position information, temporary variables, or other intermediate information during execution of instructions by the processor 710. The computing system 700 may further include a read only memory (ROM) 720 or other static storage device coupled to the bus 705 for storing static information and instructions for the processor 710. A storage device 725, such as a solid state device, magnetic disk or optical disk, can be coupled to the bus 705 to persistently store information and instructions. The storage device 725 can include or be part of the data repository 124.

The computing system 700 may be coupled via the bus 705 to a display 735, such as a liquid crystal display, or active matrix display, for displaying information to a user. An input device 730, such as a keyboard including alphanumeric and other keys, may be coupled to the bus 705 for communicating information and command selections to the processor 710. The input device 730 can include a touch screen display 735. The input device 730 can also include a cursor control, such as a mouse, a trackball, or cursor direction keys, for communicating direction information and command selections to the processor 710 and for controlling cursor movement on the display 735. The display 735 can be part of the data processing system 102, the client computing device 104 or other component of FIG. 1, for example.

The processes, systems and methods described herein can be implemented by the computing system 700 in response to the processor 710 executing an arrangement of instructions contained in main memory 715. Such instructions can be read into main memory 715 from another computer-readable medium, such as the storage device 725. Execution of the arrangement of instructions contained in main memory 715 causes the computing system 700 to perform the illustrative processes described herein. One or more processors in a multi-processing arrangement may also be employed to execute the instructions contained in main memory 715. Hard-wired circuitry can be used in place of or in combination with software instructions together with the systems and methods described herein. Systems and methods described herein are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software.

Although an example computing system has been described in FIG. 7, the subject matter including the operations described in this specification can be implemented in other types of digital electronic circuitry, or in computer software, firmware, or hardware, including the structures disclosed in this specification and their structural equivalents, or in combinations of one or more of them.

For situations in which the systems discussed herein collect personal information about users, or may make use of personal information, the users may be provided with an opportunity to control whether programs or features that may collect personal information (e.g., information about a user's social network, social actions or activities, a user's preferences, or a user's location), or to control whether or how to receive content from a content server or other data processing system that may be more relevant to the user. In addition, certain data may be anonymized in one or more ways before it is stored or used, so that personally identifiable information is removed when generating parameters. For example, a user's identity may be anonymized so that no personally identifiable information can be determined for the user, or a user's geographic location may be generalized where location information is obtained (such as to a city, postal code, or state level), so that a particular location of a user cannot be determined. Thus, the user may have control over how information is collected about him or her and used by the content server.

The subject matter and the operations described in this specification can be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computer software, firmware, or hardware, including the structures disclosed in this specification and their structural equivalents, or in combinations of one or more of them. The subject matter described in this specification can be implemented as one or more computer programs, e.g., one or more circuits of computer program instructions, encoded on one or more computer storage media for execution by, or to control the operation of, data processing apparatuses. Alternatively or in addition, the program instructions can be encoded on an artificially generated propagated signal, e.g., a machine-generated electrical, optical, or electromagnetic signal that is generated to encode information for transmission to suitable receiver apparatus for execution by a data processing apparatus. A computer storage medium can be, or be included in, a computer-readable storage device, a computer-readable storage substrate, a random or serial access memory array or device, or a combination of one or more of them. While a computer storage medium is not a propagated signal, a computer storage medium can be a source or destination of computer program instructions encoded in an artificially generated propagated signal. The computer storage medium can also be, or be included in, one or more separate components or media (e.g., multiple CDs, disks, or other storage devices). The operations described in this specification can be implemented as operations performed by a data processing apparatus on data stored on one or more computer-readable storage devices or received from other sources.

The terms “data processing system” “computing device” “component” or “data processing apparatus” encompass various apparatuses, devices, and machines for processing data, including by way of example a programmable processor, a computer, a system on a chip, or multiple ones, or combinations of the foregoing. The apparatus can include special purpose logic circuitry, e.g., an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit). The apparatus can also include, in addition to hardware, code that creates an execution environment for the computer program in question, e.g., code that constitutes processor firmware, a protocol stack, a database management system, an operating system, a cross-platform runtime environment, a virtual machine, or a combination of one or more of them. The apparatus and execution environment can realize various different computing model infrastructures, such as web services, distributed computing and grid computing infrastructures. The direct action API 116, content selector component 118, policy engine 120, or NLP component 112 and other data processing system 102 components can include or share one or more data processing apparatuses, systems, computing devices, or processors.

A computer program (also known as a program, software, software application, app, script, or code) can be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, declarative or procedural languages, and can be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, object, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program can correspond to a file in a file system. A computer program can be stored in a portion of a file that holds other programs or data (e.g., one or more scripts stored in a markup language document), in a single file dedicated to the program in question, or in multiple coordinated files (e.g., files that store one or more modules, sub programs, or portions of code). A computer program can be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computers that are located at one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communication network.

The processes and logic flows described in this specification can be performed by one or more programmable processors executing one or more computer programs (e.g., components of the data processing system 102) to perform actions by operating on input data and generating output. The processes and logic flows can also be performed by, and apparatuses can also be implemented as, special purpose logic circuitry, e.g., an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit). Devices suitable for storing computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, media and memory devices, including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, e.g., internal hard disks or removable disks; magneto optical disks; and CD ROM and DVD-ROM disks. The processor and the memory can be supplemented by, or incorporated in, special purpose logic circuitry.

The subject matter described herein can be implemented in a computing system that includes a back end component, e.g., as a data server, or that includes a middleware component, e.g., an application server, or that includes a front end component, e.g., a client computer having a graphical user interface or a web browser through which a user can interact with an implementation of the subject matter described in this specification, or a combination of one or more such back end, middleware, or front end components. The components of the system can be interconnected by any form or medium of digital data communication, e.g., a communication network. Examples of communication networks include a local area network (“LAN”) and a wide area network (“WAN”), an inter-network (e.g., the Internet), and peer-to-peer networks (e.g., ad hoc peer-to-peer networks).

The computing system such as system 100 or system 700 can include clients and servers. A client and server are generally remote from each other and typically interact through a communication network (e.g., the network 105). The relationship of client and server arises by virtue of computer programs running on the respective computers and having a client-server relationship to each other. In some implementations, a server transmits data (e.g., data packets representing a content item) to a client device (e.g., for purposes of displaying data to and receiving user input from a user interacting with the client device). Data generated at the client device (e.g., a result of the user interaction) can be received from the client device at the server (e.g., received by the data processing system 102 from the computing device 104 or the content provider computing device 106 or the service provider computing device 108).

While operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, such operations are not required to be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, and all illustrated operations are not required to be performed. Actions described herein can be performed in a different order.

The separation of various system components does not require separation in all implementations, and the described program components can be included in a single hardware or software product. For example, the NLP component 112 or the content selector component 118, can be a single component, app, or program, or a logic device having one or more processing circuits, or part of one or more servers of the data processing system 102.

Having now described some illustrative implementations, it is apparent that the foregoing is illustrative and not limiting, having been presented by way of example. In particular, although many of the examples presented herein involve specific combinations of method acts or system elements, those acts and those elements may be combined in other ways to accomplish the same objectives. Acts, elements and features discussed in connection with one implementation are not intended to be excluded from a similar role in other implementations or implementations.

The phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including” “comprising” “having” “containing” “involving” “characterized by” “characterized in that” and variations thereof herein, is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter, equivalents thereof, and additional items, as well as alternate implementations consisting of the items listed thereafter exclusively. In one implementation, the systems and methods described herein consist of one, each combination of more than one, or all of the described elements, acts, or components.

Any references to implementations or elements or acts of the systems and methods herein referred to in the singular may also embrace implementations including a plurality of these elements, and any references in plural to any implementation or element or act herein may also embrace implementations including only a single element. References in the singular or plural form are not intended to limit the presently disclosed systems or methods, their components, acts, or elements to single or plural configurations. References to any act or element being based on any information, act or element may include implementations where the act or element is based at least in part on any information, act, or element.

Any implementation disclosed herein may be combined with any other implementation or embodiment, and references to “an implementation,” “some implementations,” “one implementation” or the like are not necessarily mutually exclusive and are intended to indicate that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the implementation may be included in at least one implementation or embodiment. Such terms as used herein are not necessarily all referring to the same implementation. Any implementation may be combined with any other implementation, inclusively or exclusively, in any manner consistent with the aspects and implementations disclosed herein.

References to “or” may be construed as inclusive so that any terms described using “or” may indicate any of a single, more than one, and all of the described terms. For example, a reference to “at least one of ‘A’ and ‘B’” can include only ‘A’, only ‘B’, as well as both ‘A’ and ‘B’. Such references used in conjunction with “comprising” or other open terminology can include additional items.

Where technical features in the drawings, detailed description or any claim are followed by reference signs, the reference signs have been included to increase the intelligibility of the drawings, detailed description, and claims. Accordingly, neither the reference signs nor their absence have any limiting effect on the scope of any claim elements.

The systems and methods described herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the characteristics thereof. For example, the data processing system 102 can select a content item for a subsequent action (e.g., for the third action 215) based in part on data from a prior action in the sequence of actions of the thread 200, such as data from the second action 210 indicating that the second action 210 is complete or about to begin. The foregoing implementations are illustrative rather than limiting of the described systems and methods. Scope of the systems and methods described herein is thus indicated by the appended claims, rather than the foregoing description, and changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are embraced therein. 

What is claimed is: 1.-20. (canceled)
 21. A system to modulate packetized audio signals, comprising: a data processing system comprising one or more processors to: receive, via an interface of the data processing system, data packets comprising an input audio signal detected by a sensor of a client device; parse the input audio signal to identify a request; identify, based on the request, a content item associated with a third party provider device or the client device; determine a type of the content item; select, based on the type of the content item, a first audio modulation to apply to an output signal corresponding to the content item, the first audio modulation different from a default audio modulation; generate the output signal with the first audio modulation; and transmit data packets comprising the output signal to cause an audio driver component executed by the client device to drive a speaker of the client device to generate an acoustic wave corresponding to the output signal generated with the first audio modulation.
 22. The system of claim 21, wherein the output signal comprises a first portion and a second portion, the first portion is generated with the default audio modulation, and the second portion is generated with the content item and the first audio modulation.
 23. The system of claim 21, comprising: the data processing system to generate the first audio modulation comprising at least one of a frequency shift and an amplitude shift.
 24. The system of claim 21, comprising: the data processing system to generate the first audio modulation comprising at least one of an audio overlay and an audio watermark.
 25. The system of claim 21, comprising the data processing system to: determine that the type of the content item is digital action; select, responsive to the type of the content item being the digital action, the first audio modulation different from the default audio modulation; and apply the first audio modulation to a portion of the output signal consisting of the content item.
 26. The system of claim 21, comprising the data processing system to: determine, responsive to identifying the content item, via a query to a data repository, that the content item is expandable; select, responsive to the content item being expandable, the first audio modulation different from the default audio modulation to indicate that the content item is expandable; and apply the first audio modulation to a portion of the output signal consisting of the content item.
 27. The system of claim 21, comprising the data processing system to: determine the content item is stored on the client device; determine, via a query to the client device, that the content item is expandable; select, responsive to the content item being expandable, the first audio modulation different from the default audio modulation to indicate that the content item is expandable; and apply the first audio modulation to a portion of the output signal consisting of the content item.
 28. The system of claim 21, comprising the data processing system to: determine, responsive to the type of the content item, to apply a modulation to the content item using a modulation policy; and select the first audio modulation responsive to the determination to apply the modulation via the modulation policy.
 29. The system of claim 21, comprising the data processing system to: determine that the content item is associated with a digital action; identify a frequency of occurrence of the content item on the client device; determine the frequency of occurrence is less than or equal to a threshold; and determine to apply the first audio modulation responsive to the frequency of occurrence being less than or equal to the threshold.
 30. The system of claim 21, comprising the data processing system to: select the content item responsive to a second input audio signal received subsequent to the input audio signal; determine, based on the content item being associated with a digital action, that the content item is eligible for audio modulation; identify a frequency of occurrence of the content item on the client device; determine the frequency of occurrence is greater than or equal to a threshold; and determine, responsive to the frequency of occurrence being greater than or equal to the threshold, to use the default audio modulation instead of the first audio modulation for the content item.
 31. The system of claim 21, comprising the data processing system to: determine, based on the content item being associated with a digital action, that the content item is eligible for audio modulation; determine, based on inputting the data packets into a machine learning model trained on historical digital assistant voice conversation activity, to modulate audio output for the content item; and assign the first audio modulation to the content item responsive to the determination to modulate audio for the content item.
 32. The system of claim 21, wherein the output signal comprises a first portion preceding a second portion, the first portion is generated with the content item and the first audio modulation, and the second portion is generated with the default audio modulation, comprising the data processing system to: receive, subsequent to presenting the first portion of the output signal and prior to presentation of at least a portion of the second portion of the output signal, a second input audio signal with a second request to initiate execution of a digital action associated with the content item; execute the digital action to identify a second content item linked to the content item; determine, responsive to the second content item associated with a second digital action, to modulate audio for the second content item; generate a first portion of a second output signal absent the second item with the default audio modulation; generate a second portion of the second output signal comprising the second content item with audio modulation different from the default audio modulation; and transmit second data packets comprising the second output signal to cause the audio driver component executed by the client device to drive the speaker of the client device to generate a second acoustic wave corresponding to the second output signal.
 33. The system of claim 21, comprising the data processing system to: select a second content item responsive to receipt of a second input audio signal; determine the second content item is a same type of content as the content item; determine that the client device previously initiated execution of a digital action for the content item; and determine, responsive to the previous initiation of execution of the digital action for the content item, to apply audio modulation to the second content item different from the default audio modulation.
 34. The system of claim 21, comprising the data processing system to: receive a second input audio signal comprising a trigger to execute a digital action associated with the content item; determine a time difference between receipt of the second input audio signal and transmission of the data packets comprising the output signal for the content item; and execute the digital action responsive to the time difference being less than or equal to a threshold.
 35. The system of claim 21, comprising the data processing system to: receive a second input audio signal comprising a trigger to execute a digital action associated with the content item; determine a time difference between receipt of the second input audio signal and transmission of the data packets comprising the output signal for the content item; and block execution of the digital action responsive to the time difference being greater than or equal to a threshold.
 36. A method of modulating packetized audio signals, comprising: receiving, by one or more processors via an interface, data packets comprising an input audio signal detected by a sensor of a client device; parsing, by the one or more processors, the input audio signal to identify a request; identifying, by the one or more processors based on the request, a content item associated with a third party provider device or the client device; determining, by the one or more processors, a type of the content item; selecting, by the one or more processors, based on the type of the content item, a first audio modulation to apply to an output signal corresponding to the content item, the first audio modulation different from a default audio modulation; generating, by the one or more processors, the output signal with the first audio modulation; and transmitting, by the one or more processors, data packets comprising the output signal to cause an audio driver component executed by the client device to drive a speaker of the client device to generate an acoustic wave corresponding to the output signal generated with the first audio modulation.
 37. The method of claim 36, wherein the output signal comprises a first portion and a second portion, the first portion is generated with the default audio modulation, and the second portion is generated with the content item and the first audio modulation.
 38. The method of claim 36, comprising: generating the first audio modulation comprising at least one of a frequency shift and an amplitude shift.
 39. The method of claim 36, comprising: determining that the type of the content item is digital action; selecting, responsive to the type of the content item being the digital action, the first audio modulation different from the default audio modulation; and applying the first audio modulation to a portion of the output signal consisting of the content item.
 40. The method of claim 36, comprising: determining, responsive to the type of the content item, to apply a modulation to the content item using a modulation policy; and selecting the first audio modulation responsive to the determination to apply the modulation via the modulation policy. 